Tags
Arezzo, Giro d"italia, italy, La Vita e Bella, Photography, Piazza Grande, Santa Maria delle Pieve, travel
Just a quick walk from the Arezzo train station, albeit a little uphill, is the Piazza Grande.

Arezzo Train Station
After arriving in a town or village, one of the first things I do is locate and walk to the town’s main Piazza. This gives me a feel of the town and also the proximity of where many of the must see’s are. Also, if there is an information centre in town I will visit it.
The centre piece of Arezzo is without any doubt Piazza Grande. The piazza itself is not very big but it has so much to offer. The best way to enter is through the galleria on the east side which is filled with several (good) restaurants. On the South and West side you will find a selection of shops.
The Piazza Grande is the most noteworthy medieval square in Arezzo.
This piazza is really an interesting place to see due to the fact that it is built slanting and also it is surrounded with amazing buildings, the most noted is the Santa Maria delle Pieve. An interesting fact of this piazza is that some scenes of the famous film La Vita e Bella were shot here.
There are no cars to deal with which adds to the peaceful, convivial nature of this spectacular place.
This beautiful piazza is framed by fine restaurants, antique shops, and an old well along its lower slope.
I chose a cafe to sit. My timing was perfect. Just as I was taking in the view, in rode a group of “veteran” cyclists who were in town for the Giro d’Italia. The atmosphere was exciting. I could see that these cyclists were from Australia and New Zealand and I soon learned that they were all ex Olympians or ex Commonwealth games participants.
The Piazza Grande is for me one of the most beautiful Piazze in Italy. I guess mainly because it is not over crowded like so many others in Italy and it is a great place to enjoy a coffee or a glass of wine.
This charming town was not crowded even though the Giro d’Italia was arriving later that day.
Steeped in history – a beautiful place to find a cafe.
Relax. Enjoy.
Thanks once again Lyn awesome post and pics. Looks beautiful x
Thanks Donna. x
I love that movie, even with the sadness in it.
Thanks for reading my blog post. Lyn
I love the movie and Arezzo in it. Sadly not visited it yet. Piazza grande looks beautiful. Oh what I would give up to be there right this moment!
Thankfully our blogs help us to feel that we are there.
I visited Arezzo once for a day on the train from Cortona where I was staying at the time. I loved it. It was snowing and in early January. It’s a lovely town and I enjoyed wandering around and visited the Duomo, which is magnificent, noticing a shrine there to Padre Pio. No outdoor tables in the snow however. My only disappointment was the amount of graffiti on the monuments, particularly in the park above the town. That was a bit of a surprise, but maybe they’ve cleaned them up since then, as that was in 2011. :-)
Hi Orna, I don’t remember seeing any graffiti and I did spend quite some time in the park so possibly it has been cleaned up. There was a huge hail storm the first I was there so everything looked like it was covered with snow.
Fabulous piazza! What great memories you have.
I love the piazza all over Italy
I was in Arezzo for 2 days this summer and absolutely loved it! I agree with you, Piazza Grande is quite beautiful. Thank you for the post and pictures!
What a beautiful city
Yes, George, very beautiful.
Us Kiwis seem to manage to show up everywhere :)
As do the Aussies.
Nice piazza! The slanting factor is interesting. Was it noticeable? And to see some of the Giro d’Italia team is way cool.
Yes Susan, it was noticeable. The Giro d’Italia in town made it all very exciting.
It looks delightful (sigh). Wouldn’t mind sitting there right now…with a glass of something chilled!
Yes Mary, I would like to be there right now with you chatting over a glass of vino
I love Arezzo-spent a month there a few years back at language school and loved every minute of. Returned another year for two more weeks. I would love to rent an apartment and have an extended stay there.
What a fabulous place to go to language school. I would love to rent an apartment there also. Arezzo has so much to offer plus it is in a super location.
Looks great. Another place to visit in Italia. gg
It is in a great location to stay and then visit surrounding towns and villages.
Your photos are always beautiful – I could almost be there!
Thanks Kay, it is a beautiful town and so easy to get around