San Francesco, Arezzo, Minor basilica in central Arezzo, Italy.
Description
San Francesco is a Gothic basilica with a single nave and multiple chapels decorated with frescoes spanning the 14th to 16th centuries. The structure is built from brick and follows the characteristic style of Florentine Gothic architecture.
History
Franciscan friars settled in Arezzo between 1211 and 1217, receiving land within the city walls in 1290 to build their church and convent. Over subsequent centuries, the building underwent multiple renovations and expansions, particularly during the Renaissance with major artistic commissions.
Culture
The Bacci Chapel displays the celebrated fresco series Legend of the True Cross by Piero della Francesca, a masterpiece of Renaissance painting. You can observe how artists of that era incorporated space and perspective into their religious scenes.
Practical
The basilica is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 to 19:00 and Sundays from 13:00 to 18:00, with wheelchair access throughout the interior. You should wear comfortable shoes and note that photography may be restricted in certain areas.
Did you know?
The cloister contains a well named La Bufala, commissioned in 1590 by Ferdinando dei Medici during restoration of the complex. This well stands as an interesting reminder of how princely investment shaped the site over time.
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