Next stop? La Verna Sanctuary!
Watch the fifth episode of our web series on widespread Tuscany
Next stop? Arezzo!
Syusy’s new Slow Tour is an itinerary through the “Widespread Tuscany”. Here we are at the final stop of this journey: Arezzo!
Syusy has arrived in Arezzo! But what is there to see in Arezzo – a city that’s often left out of the classic Tuscan itineraries?
Well, she decides to start where the city’s origins are still visible: the Archaeological Park of Castelsecco, accompanied by Ada Salvi, from the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the provinces of Siena, Grosseto and Arezzo.
Here, majestic ancient walls – so impressive they’ll remind you of Mycenae or Troy – support a real acropolis. A terrace that the Etruscans leveled, shaped and fortified to build a temple and a theatre. A theatre with the stage facing a breathtaking landscape! Yes, the Etruscans were into theatre too!
With Ada, Syusy talks about the roots of Arezzo, tied to this place—about ancient cults, archaeological finds, and the fate of this site, which was once included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage candidates. A wonderful discovery!
And then, even though Dante – who famously had a bit of a grudge against the people of Arezzo – might try to stop her… Syusy sets off to explore two more places that truly define the city’s identity.
The Ivan Bruschi House Museum, once the home of the antiques dealer who gave birth to the Antiques Fair held in the city every month—the largest in Italy!
And the museum I Colori della Giostra, dedicated to the Saracen Joust. A joust against Buratto, the King of the Indies, already mentioned in Dante’s time!
This unique display of strength and skill is still held in Arezzo every June and September, with knights training all year round to compete. Too bad that… women aren’t allowed to take part! Even though Arezzo’s history includes the legendary warrior and heroine Ippolita degli Azzi. So, it’s Syusy who takes up her sword – and brings her story back to life!
