Page 335 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

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Fraternità dei Laici
(1377–1552). The latter
features a Madonna
relief by Bernardo
Rossellino. The huge
Duomo to the north is
best known for its
16th-century stained
glass and a small fresco
of Mary Magdalene by
Piero della Francesca
(1416–92). The Museo
Diocesano (Mudas)
features three wooden
crucifixes, dating from
the 12th and 13th
centuries, a bas-relief of
The Annunciation (1434)
The hills and rooftops of Fiesole viewed from Via di San Francesco by Rossellino and
paintings by Vasari. More works
only surrendering its supremacy r Arezzo by Vasari can be seen in the
after the foundation of Florence * 100,000. @ n Piazza della Casa di Vasari, a house built by
(1st century BC). Repubblica 28 (0575 268 50). ( Sat. the artist in 1540. Still more
The restored Duomo of San frescoes by him are displayed in
Romolo in Piazza Mino da Arezzo is one of Tuscany’s the Museo d’Arte Medio evale e
Fiesole was begun in 1028. It has wealthiest cities, its prosperity Moderna, a museum that is
a massive bell tower and a bare based on a thriving jewellery famed for its excellent collection
Romanesque interior. Behind industry. Although much of its of majolica pottery.
the Duomo, an archaeological medieval centre was des troyed The Fortezza Medicea, a
area contains the remains of a during World War II, resulting in ruined Medici castle built by
1st-century-BC Roman theatre, extensive rebuilding and many Antonio da Sangallo during the
traces of Etruscan walls from medieval alleys being replaced 16th century, has fine views.
the 4th century BC and the by broad avenues, the city
Museo Civico Archeologico, preserves some outstanding E Museo Diocesano (Mudas)
with a collection of bronzes, sights: foremost are Piero della Piazzetta Dietro il Duomo 12.
ceramics and jewellery dating Francesca’s famous frescoes in Tel 0575 402 72 68. Open daily. &
from the Bronze Age. the church of San Francesco P Casa di Vasari
Via di San Francesco, a steep (see pp334–5). Close to the Via XX Settembre 55. Tel 0575 40 90
lane offering lovely views, leads church on Corso Italia, the main 40. Open Wed–Mon. &
to the Franciscan friary of San street, stands the Pieve di Santa E Museo d’Arte Medioevale
Francesco (14th century) and Maria, which boasts one of the
the interesting 9th-century most ornate Romanesque e Moderna
Via di San Lorentino 8.
church of Sant’Alessandro, with façades in the region. To its rear Tel 0575 40 90 50. Open Tue–Sun. &
a Neo-Classical façade. stretches the steeply sloping
Via Vecchia Fiesolana leads to Piazza Grande, flanked by an + Fortezza Medicea
the hamlet of San Domenico, arcade (1573) designed by Parco il Prato. Tel 0575 37 76 78.
where the 15th-century church Vasari, and by the Palazzo della Open daily.
of the same name contains a
painting of the Madonna with
Angels and Saints (c.1430) by Fra
Angelico and the Chapter
House contains a fresco of
The Crucifixion (c.1430), also
by him. Close by, on the Via
della Badia dei Roccettini, is
the Badia Fiesolana, a pretty
Romanesque church with a
striped marble façade and
interior of local grey sandstone,
pietra serena.
E Museo Civico Archeologico
Via Portigiani 1. Tel 055 596 12 93.
Open daily (Oct–Mar: Wed–Mon). & The monthly antiques market held in Arezzo’s Piazza Grande

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