Arezzo

Arezzo is a hill-top town located in southeastern Tuscany and it is one of the region’s wealthiest cities, thanks to its tradition in gold-smithery. This jewel of Tuscany dates back to the 9th century BCE when it was founded by the Etruscans. Parts of the city’s Medieval center were destroyed during World War II, but Arezzo still has plenty of churches and museums which offer students the chance to step back in time.

In the Church of San Francesco, for example, you will find the Early Renaissance fresco cycle by Piero della Francesca depicting the Legend of the True Cross. Heading uphill to Piazza Grande, then on to the Medicean Fortress, you can see the Cathedral dedicated to San Donato and then head to the Roman amphitheater. With fewer tourists and more locals wandering the city, Arezzo is the perfect place to experience real Tuscan life alongside its rich architectural delights. Not only that, but you may recognize the town’s square as the setting for the beginning of the Oscar-winning film ‘Life is Beautiful’, filmed here in 1997.

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