San Domenico, Arezzo

San Domenico is a minor basilica in Arezzo featuring Gothic architecture with an asymmetrical facade and one large main nave. Medieval frescoes cover the walls throughout the interior, creating the visual character of the space.

Dominican friars started building this church in 1275, with local noble families like the Ubertini and Tarlati helping to see it through to completion during the 1300s. This expansion shows how the city and its powerful families grew in influence over that century.

The walls inside display frescoes painted by Spinello Aretino, including scenes of Saints Philip and James that show the Tuscan painting style of that time. These works shape how the space feels today and tell stories of the saints that people in this region held dear.

You can visit during regular opening hours, and guided tours are available to learn about the medieval artworks inside. Morning visits work best, as natural light from the windows helps you see the frescoes and decorative details more clearly.

The main chapel holds a Crucifix painted by Cimabue in the early 1200s that breaks from the Byzantine style of that era and points toward a new artistic direction. This painting shows how Italian artists were starting to find their own way of expressing religious themes.