Arezzo is the capital of the province, which bears the same name in Tuscany; it is located about 80 km south west of Florence and sits at 296 meters above sea level. The older part of the city is the upper section and this is where the cathedral and town hall are located. The upper section retains its medieval appearance, even though a number of more modern structures have been erected there.
Without a doubt one of the most unusual churches is located here, the church of Santa Maria della Pieve, which was built in Romanesque style back in the 12th century. Unlike most other churches its bell tower is square and because of this it really does not look much like a church.
There is the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Donatus, which was started in the 13th century and only truly finished in the 20th, when the facade was put in place. Here there are some medieval stains glass windows, as well as the tomb of Pope Gregory X.
Other churches in the city include the Basilica of San Francesco, which was built in the 13th and 14th century in a Tuscan-Gothic style, the Santa Maria in Gradi, which dates back to the 11th century and Pieve di San Donnino a Maiano, which is situated at the Palazzo del Pero and dates back to around the 6th-9th centuries.
The Piazza Grande is a medieval square in the city. It is situated behind the Santa Maria della Pieve and was once the main market place for the entire city. Other landmarks on or around the square include The Palace of the Lay Fraternity, which dates back to the 14th-15th centuries; it has a Gothic style ground floor with the first floor being quattrocento in style. Episcopal Palace, the Vasari Loggia and the remains of the communal palace, Palazzo del Popolo, can also be seen here.
There is a Roman Amphitheatre and museum, the Medici Fortress, which dates back to the 1500’s and Ivan Bruschi House and Museum. Of course building are not all this city has to offer, it is also home to the annual medieval festival called the Saracen Joust. This is where ‘knights’ on horseback use wooden jousts to strike a target of the Scarcen King, different area earn different points. Generally all the locals dress up in medieval costumes on the day and cheer their knights on.
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