Arezzo City of Vasari

The way to discover Vasari’s Arezzo is through his works and the places that surrounded him. The best place to start to understand the master is his home, the Vasari House Museum. This museum was the artist’s residence and its archives contain his private correspondences with Michelangelo and other masters of the Renaissance. Every room of this museum has frescoes by Vasari with allegorical and mythical stories. Just around the corner from the house museum on Piaggia di Murello street is the National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art. Some of Vasari’s paintings are housed here, including the “Feast at the Wedding of Ester and Assuero,” one of the largest wood panel paintings from the 16th century, as well as his paintings of the “Madonna and Child” and “Saint John the Baptist.”

As you exit the museum, you come to Cavour street and the small Santissima Annuziata square, lined with old lime trees that fill the air with a sweet scent in the summer. This square dips downhill directly towards the entrance to the Church of Santissima Annunziata where Vasari’s “Deposition from the Cross” is located. Walking further on Cavour street, you encounter the Piazza Badia or Badia Square. There stands the austere Gothic facade of the Basilica of Saints Flora and Lucilla. The facade is deceiving, however, because this church has a treasure trove of hidden Vasari gems. The architecture of the structure dates back to the 14th century and was modified in 1565 at the behest of Maestro in order to house the monumental altar complex that was created by Vasari himself and include his paintings. In the shadows of the Badia, the iconic Vasari yellow catches your eye. 

As you continue along the journey to discover Vasari, you’ll pass the historic buildings that line Cavour street until you reach Corso Italia street. On this street you climb towards the Piazza Grande or main square of Arezzo. This square,  also known as Vasari Square, features the last of the Maestro’s great works, the Vasari Loggia or colonnade. The bell tower of the Fraternità dei Laici or Lay Fraternity building is also the work of the Arezzo master. 

You can easily disconnect from the frenzy of everyday life when you explore the magnificent art in the heart of Arezzo. There are many signature pieces that remind us that Arezzo continues to be the city of Vasari.