Medici Fortress, Arezzo

Castle in Arezzo

Strolling along the outer perimeter of the church, you’ll soon discover one of the city’s lush green spaces. At its heart stands a majestic statue paying tribute to a local luminary: Petrarca, the renowned Italian poet. This park, designed with a touch of French elegance, provides a sweeping vista that encompasses the Casentino Valley, the picturesque vineyards, olive orchards, and the extending residential quarters of the city.

Nestled in the far corner of this verdant oasis, shielded by a curtain of trees, lies the Medici Fortress, an architectural marvel resembling a five-pointed star. Commissioned by Cosimo I, it was constructed atop Arezzo’s preexisting centres of authority, reinforcing Florentine control over the city.

The stones used to build this fortress were sourced from the Roman amphitheater situated at the base of the city. While the fort has undergone several cycles of restoration and dismantling over the centuries, it still stands today as a significant exemplar of military architecture from the 1500s.

The Medici Fortress, Arezzo appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Arezzo!

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