rezzo is a small medieval artistic city located in the south of Tuscany. Its origins are Etruscan but it was conquered by the Romans in 311 BC and like many cities its old Etruscan aristocracy was not extinguished but merged into the Roman Empire. In 1098 it became an independent city-state until 1384, afterwards the city yielded to the Florentine domination and then to the Medicean Grand Duchy of Tuscany. As a matter of fact, the current city design originates during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance as reflected by its architecture.
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Nowadays Arezzo is a well known for it's many antiques shops as well as the twice yearly medieval pageant: "Joust of the Saracen", and for its gold jewelry shops and goldsmith art. Arezzo has also served as the location of Roberto Benigni's movie, La Vita è Bella (Life is Beautiful) produced in 1997, where the main characters live before they are shipped off to a Nazi concentration camp. The city is a perfect setting for a small ceremony and an intimate wedding, moreover the downtown is closed to automobile traffic making it perfect for leisurely explorations on foot.
Civil Weddings in Arezzo take place at the “Priori Palace”, an original XIV century building located at the “Piazza della Libertà” just a few steps from the “Cathedral Saint Donatus” built in Tuscan-Gothic style during the 13th-14th centuries. The splendor of Middle Ages and Renaissance are present everywhere like in the wonderful frescoes by Piero della Francesca and the impressive Loggia by the famous architect and historian Giorgio Vasari and also the house of the poet Francesco Petrarca.
Arezzo is the perfect place to get married while enjoying art and culture among the numerous medieval churches, castles and monasteries.
Best time for a wedding in Arezzo: all year long.
Nearest Airport: Rome (2 1/2 hours), Florence (1 hour appox.). Trains run directly from Rome to Arezzo as well as Florence to Arezzo.
Story and Photography by Antonio Iabichino
The author, Antonio Iabichino, is the President and owner of Mediterranean Dream Weddings, located in Tuscany, Italy, which offers complete or partial wedding design and planning as well as providing wedding packages for travel to and around Italy, Spain, and France. The multi-talented Antonio is also a wedding planner, photographer, and wedding officiant. He may be reached at--
www.mediterraneandreamweddings.com & www.tuscandreamdays.com.
A Tuscan Wedding
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