Santa Maria a Gradi

Santa Maria a Gradi is a Renaissance church in Arezzo featuring a single hall design enhanced by Doric pilasters and lateral chapels added during the 1600s. The structure displays a clear organization with plastered surfaces and ashlar stonework on the facade, creating a unified visual composition.

The structure was completed in 1611 and replaced a Benedictine monastery that had occupied the site since 1043. This continuity of religious use demonstrates the enduring importance of this location for Arezzo's spiritual life.

This sanctuary serves as a spiritual center for Arezzo's community and reflects the city's artistic focus during the Renaissance period. The interior chapels and their artwork show the veneration of local saints and the community's connection to Christian tradition.

The church can be explored from street level and displays its architecture clearly on the facade. Visitors should plan to arrive during standard opening hours, as it remains an active place of worship that may occasionally close for services.

Beneath the church lies an 11th-century Romanesque crypt housing a medieval wooden crucifix. This hidden layer reveals how different historical periods are stacked within the site, adding unexpected depth to a seemingly simple exterior.