Arezzo Cathedral

Beautiful cathedral with incredible interior views of its domes. Sit and reflect in the relative darkness with candies flickering. It’s a slight uphill climb all the way from the train station and past the main piazza.

This is a very impressive cathedral high up on the hill in Arezzo. Inside it is both dark, cavernous and cool which adds to the sense of majesty. A funeral was taking place while we visited which was quite moving and showed how this is a working church for the city. Unfortunately this means that it doesn't seem to have much in the way of signs for tourist visitors.

I cant remember buying tickets here...maybe because there was a funeral right before we entered. The frescoes on the ceiling are breathtaking. The interior is a little darker than other churches/cathedrals so far. You wanna sit here and just enjoy the details.

This fantastic Cathedral rises atop a hill in the upper part of the city, on the foundations of an ancient early Christian church where a Roman acropolis likely once stood. Begun in the Gothic style during the 13th century, the construction of the dome, dedicated to Saints Peter and Donatus, was not completed until three centuries later, in 1511, after numerous cycles of alteration. Its bell tower with tall, twin windows, designed by Luigi Mercanti, was built between 1857 and 1859. The last reconstruction of the façade was carried out between 1901 and 1914, based on a design by Viviani intended to replace the unfinished one dating back to the 15th century. Dominating the city, this imposing three-nave building, without a transept, boasts seven beautiful stained-glass windows created by the monk and master glassmaker Guillaume de Marcillat from Berry. The French artist worked between Arezzo and Cortona from 1516. This masterpiece of glass art was created in two phases, between 1516 and 1517, and then between 1522 and 1524. These illustrious biblical tales can be admired in the vaults of the first three bays of the main nave and the first bay of the left aisle. Also inside are the small but famous 15th-century fresco of Mary Magdalene by Piero della Francesca, glazed terracotta sculptures by Andrea della Robbia, and the tombs of the 14th-century Bishop Guido Tarlati and Pope Gregory X, who died in Arezzo in 1276.

Absolutely gorgeous place! Not so many tourists, great atmosphere and very organic place (no barriers etc.). Seems like the cathedral management trusts tourists to behave and allows them to basically walk around which creates as I have said an organic experience. Entry is free.

Morning Mass at 7 a.m. at the Cathedral - Wonderful - A story like Giorgio Bassani +++++++++++++++++++++ Italy, again, has become a country which is very attractive to travel to - to better understand what people do and what "notion" (Begriff) of time people have. Over the last years, I went several times to Arezzo, a city I know from the 1990s. Indeed, Arezzo is a small town, quiet, well structured. Go to a good Hotel (Graziella Patio), and come along to take photographs for better understanding. Bring a powerful "camera" (indeed : camera), since the places and streets, most paved, are complicated. And have time, to look at the People, have some coffee or a beer at Piazza Grande. After getting somewhat acquainted with the city, establish a new exercice, to get up early, somewhat at around 6 a.m. . Have a first coffee. And go the the Cathedral, absolutely up the hill, and you will have to go not too fast. The street is steep. Usually, if you are erally acquainted, you will see three religious sisters coming from the side, in her habits. The morning mass is held at 7 a.m., in the wonderful side chapel. There may be around 40 to 50 people, of all kind, and of a multitude of ages. Some, as you may guess, are going afterwards to work. For the time being, there is alwys an old priest, quite tall, wonderfully speaking and singing. It is very religious, but all means it has nothing of "Kitsch". When there is the benediction at the end, you feel relieved and can go back to the Hotel, to have real breakfast. This time, you are going downwards, it is easier. Here some photographs taken in Arezzo in May 2016, with fog. I presume Giorgio Bassani, who was born in Ferrara and was Jewish, a great writer, would have liked the story.

Impressive peaceful place and cathedral, nice to walk around and to take some nice pics. We explored this location during our visit to Arezzo in September 2021. Although we didn’t pay a visit to the inside of the cathedral, this is a place that you have to see when you are in Arezzo !

Historical cathedral, peaceful, lovely city