Arezzo

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Arezzo is a city in Italy that is known for it's arts, large production and workmanship of gold and silver and ArezzoWave music festival (17-22 July 2007).

In the past Arezzo was a major Etruscan and Roman city. It's simbol is the Chimaera of Arezzo, a bronze statue (of Etruscan origin, probably from 5th century BC) which was found in the city, in 1553.

In the arts, the great poet Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch), Pietro Aretino and the famous architect Vasari, all native Aretines, brought lasting prestige to the city, yet it was an outsider who gave Arezzo its permanent Renaissance monument – Piero della Francesca, whose extraordinary frescoes reside in the Basilica di San Francesco and in the Duomo.

In February 2007 there are around 75 CouchSurfers and HospitalityClubbers in Arezzo and it's surroundings, though there isn't yet an active local hospitality (both CS and HC) community .

Main attractions

Piazza Grande, the most beautiful square in Arezzo, is surrounded by marvelous old buildings and hosts the Giostra del Saracino twice a year.

The Antiques Fair that occupies Piazza Grande and many of the streets leading to it, with an array of some 500 stalls by which is fun to browse though. Arriving by car it's best to leave it in the Pietri free parking lot and go up to the Duomo on the escalator.

Dates: Takes place on the first Sunday and the Saturday preceding it of every month -

03-04 March 2007

31 March - 01 April 2007

05-06 May 2007

02-03 June 2007

30 June - 01 July 2007

04-05 August 2007

01-02 September 2007

06-07 October 2007

03-04 November 2007

01-02 December 2007

Giostra del Saracino - Saracen Joust - is an ancient knights' tournament which has its roots in the Middle Ages. The tournament was held frequently in Arezzo between the sixteenth and the seventeenth century.

The colourful procession, involving more than three hundred participants, winds through the streets of the city, accompanied by musicians and Arezzo's famous "Sbandieratori" standard wavers, before going into Piazza Grande, one of the most characteristic squares in Italy where the tournament will take place. The horsemen charge the huge effigy of the Saracen at a full gallop and armed with lances. The tournament is enlivened by continual turns of events, determined by the skill and by the luck of eight jousters, two from each quarter. The quarter whose horsemen get the highest score on the shield of the Saracen wins the Golden Lance, the prized trophy made each year by an Aretine craftsman.

The joust as such is preceded in the morning by the "bollatura" (identification and acceptance) of the horses that will participate in the afternoon tournament and by the reading of the proclamation in the most important squares within the area of the historical center.

Dates: The third Sunday of June and on the first Sunday of September - 23 June (by night) and 2 September 2007.

Arezzo is also the location of many key scenes of Roberto Benigni's movie "La Vita è Bella" winner of 3 Oscar awards.

Not being a big touristic city like Firenze it is most recommended to stroll in the charming old city center along the small alleys and enjoy its quiet streets. a good panoramic view of the city can be seen from the tower of "Pallazzo dei Priori" in Piazza della Libertà, or walking through the "Il Prato" park up to the Medicea fortress.