Casa Vasari Museum, Arezzo
Museum in Arezzo
In the quiet streets of Arezzo's historic center stands the Casa Vasari Museum, one of the top attractions in Arezzo for lovers of Renaissance art and history. This elegant residence once belonged to Giorgio Vasari, the celebrated artist, architect, and biographer whose writings shaped how the world understands the Italian Renaissance. Vasari not only designed and decorated this house himself but turned it into a living expression of his artistic ideals, working here between 1542 and 1548 before moving to Florence and Rome for commissions from the Medici family.
Visiting the Casa Vasari Museum offers a rare glimpse into the private world of a Renaissance genius. Spread across three floors, the house feels both intimate and grand, filled with frescoes, paintings, and personal touches that bring Vasari's life and times vividly to life. It's a highlight of any walking tour of Arezzo, offering insight not only into Vasari's art but also into the creative energy that defined 16th-century Tuscany.
History and Significance of Casa Vasari Museum
Giorgio Vasari was born in Arezzo in 1511 and became one of the most influential figures of the Renaissance. Trained under Andrea del Sarto and connected with Michelangelo, Vasari was not only an accomplished painter and architect but also the author of The Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, a groundbreaking work that established the foundation for modern art history.
In 1542, Vasari purchased this house and began its transformation into a model of artistic harmony. Assisted by his pupils, he adorned the walls and ceilings with allegorical frescoes celebrating art, fame, and divine inspiration. The result is one of the best-preserved examples of an artist's home from the late Renaissance. Although Vasari lived here only briefly after his marriage to Niccolosa Bacci - from the distinguished family that funded the Bacci Chapel in the Basilica of San Francesco - the house remains a tangible reflection of his spirit and vision.
Things to See and Do in Casa Vasari Museum
The main floor of Casa Vasari reveals the heart of Vasari's artistry. Visitors enter rooms with evocative names like the Camera della Fama e delle Arti, the Camera delle Muse, the Camera di Abramo, and the Salone del Camino, each richly frescoed with mythological and allegorical imagery. The ceilings and walls come alive with figures celebrating artistic inspiration and human creativity - a perfect embodiment of Vasari's belief that art was a divine pursuit.
Beyond Vasari’s own work, the museum houses over fifty paintings from the Florentine Galleries’ storerooms, including works by artists associated with Vasari’s circle and the Mannerist movement. These include pieces by Mirabello Cavalori, Maso da San Friano, Francesco Morandini (known as Poppi), Giovanni Stradano, Santi di Tito, Alessandro Allori, and Jacopo Zucchi. Their refined, theatrical style complements Vasari’s own artistic vision and gives visitors a sense of the intellectual atmosphere that surrounded him.
Outside the museum, Vasari's influence continues throughout Arezzo. His hand can be seen in the elegant Loggia in Piazza Grande and in paintings within the Sala dei Matrimoni of Palazzo Priori, connecting his personal world to the civic heart of his hometown. This spot is one of the best places to see in Arezzo for anyone wanting to trace the legacy of one of the Renaissance's defining figures.
How to Get There
Casa Vasari Museum is located at Via XX Settembre 55, just a short walk from Piazza Grande and the Basilica of San Francesco. From Arezzo railway station, it’s about a 15-minute uphill walk along Corso Italia, then a right turn onto Via XX Settembre. If arriving by car, parking is available at Parcheggio Pietri or Parcheggio Eden, both within easy walking distance. The museum’s central location makes it convenient to include as part of a day exploring Arezzo’s main artistic landmarks.
Practical Tips on Visiting Casa Vasari Museum
- Best time to visit Casa Vasari Museum: Spring and autumn, when the city is lively but not crowded.
- Entrance fee in Euros: Around 4-6 EUR; combined tickets available with other museums.
- Opening hours: Typically 9:00-18:00; closed on Mondays.
- Official website: www.discoverarezzo.com
- How long to spend: About 45-60 minutes to tour all floors and enjoy the frescoes.
- Accessibility: Ground floor accessible; upper floors reached by stairs.
- Facilities: Restrooms and a small shop available on-site.
- Photography tip: Use natural light to capture the frescoes’ depth and color - flash is not permitted.
- Guided tours: Available by reservation; highly recommended for art and history enthusiasts.
- Nearby food options: Several trattorias and cafés nearby on Corso Italia and Piazza Grande.
Is Casa Vasari Museum Worth Visiting?
Definitely. The Casa Vasari Museum is one of the things to do in Arezzo that truly connects visitors to the Renaissance spirit. It's not just a museum - it's a glimpse into the life of the man who defined the Renaissance itself through his art and writings. Whether you're an art lover or simply curious about history, the experience of standing in Vasari's own home, surrounded by his frescoes, is both intimate and inspiring.
Nearby Attractions to Casa Vasari Museum
- Basilica of San Francesco - Home to Piero della Francesca's fresco cycle, The Legend of the True Cross.
- Piazza Grande - Arezzo's famous sloping square lined with Renaissance palaces and arcades.
- Parish Church of Santa Maria della Pieve - A Romanesque masterpiece with ornate columns and sculptures.
- Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici - A stunning civic building with a Renaissance astronomical clock.
- Gaius Cilnius Maecenas Archaeological Museum - An impressive collection of Etruscan and Roman artifacts beside the ancient amphitheatre.
What Other Travellers Say...
Casa Vasari, on Via XX Settembre in Arezzo, is the former home of Giorgio Vasari showcasing intricately detailed frescoes, sculptures and paintings throughout its rooms; visitors praise the rich collection, Vasari's decorated studio and Hall of Fame of portraits, and recommend taking the short introductory film (with subtitles) and reading the room labels to appreciate the works and their meanings, then pausing in the quiet rear garden and fountain—it's a compact visit of roughly half an hour with fairly priced admission and limited group sizes, so check availability or reserve if possible.
The Casa Vasari Museum appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Arezzo!
Moira & Andy
Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!
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Planning Your Visit
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, entry every hour from 8.30 to 18.30.
Sunday and holidays entry every hour from 8.30 to 12.30, with 1 hour visiting shifts.
€5.00
Nearby Attractions
- Church of San Domenico (0.1) km
Church - National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art (0.2) km
Gallery, Museum and Palace - Palazzo dei Priori in Arezzo (0.3) km
Palace - Cathedral of Arezzo (0.3) km
Cathedral - Palazzo Pretorio (0.5) km
Historic Building and Palace - San Francesco Basilica (0.5) km
Church - Fondazione Ivan Bruschi - Casa Museo dell'Antiquariato Ivan Bruschi (0.5) km
Museum - Church of Santa Maria della Pieve (0.5) km
Church - Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici (0.5) km
Museum and Palace - Piazza Grande (0.6) km
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