Arezzo

Town in Tuscany, Italy, 80 km/50 mi southeast of Florence; population (2001) 91,600. Originally an Etruscan settlement, Arezzo is an important market for agricultural and animal products from the fertile surrounding districts, and trades in textiles and clothing, shoes, olive oil, antiques, and gold and jewellery crafts. There is a fresco series by the Renaissance painter Piero della Francesca.

Arezzo was renowned for the strength of its brick walls, and also for its red pottery. It was an important Roman base during the Second Punic War (218–201 BC). In a civil war of the 1st century BC, Arezzo sided with the Roman general Marius against Sulla, who probably destroyed the town's fortifications in 81 BC. During the Middle Ages the people of Arezzo fought with the Ghibellines (supporters of the Holy Roman Empire), but were defeated by Florence in 1289, and in 1384 came completely under Florentine domination. During World War II the town suffered considerable damage.

The ancient district of the town stands on a hill, with the modern part at its foot. There is a 13th-century Gothic cathedral, with a 20th-century facade, which contains notable paintings. The 14th-century church of S Francesco contains Piero della Francesca's fresco Legend of the Holy Cross. Other buildings include several old churches, as well as palaces, several museums, and an art gallery. In late August and early September a competition takes place in the Piazza Grande, in which horsemen joust with a clockwork ‘Saracen king’, a pivoting target.

The Roman arts patron Maecenas, the architect and painter Giorgio Vasari, and the botanist and physiologist Andrea Cesalpino were natives of Arezzo, and the writers Petrarch and Pietro Aretino were born here.

Arezzo

Province of northern Italy in central Tuscany region; capital Arezzo; area 3,232 sq km/1,248 sq mi; population (2000 est) 321,800.