There are towns that simply feel right the moment you arrive. For me, Arezzo is one of them. A Tuscan city that somehow always feels familiar – and yet, every time, it reveals something new. Maybe it’s because here, history isn’t just a backdrop – it’s part of everyday life.
The Antiques Fair is always the first thing that comes to mind. That’s where my relationship with Arezzo truly began. On the first Sunday of every month, and the Saturday before it, the city transforms: stalls line the streets, dealers and browsers mingle, and curiosity buzzes through the air. It all starts at Piazza Grande, but quickly spreads through arcaded alleyways, small squares, and sunlit corners. Sellers arrive from across Italy – and with them, those in search of something special: a unique chair, an antique mirror, an old map… a story.
But for me, wandering through the fair is never just about shopping. It’s about discovering. Every object carries a hint of a life once lived – a chipped porcelain cup, a carved wooden frame – sparking my imagination. I always leave with something. Sometimes just a tiny, forgotten object, but together these small things are quietly shaping the story of my own home.
The fair’s heart is in Piazza Grande, but the soul of the experience is Arezzo itself. As I wander the cobbled streets, I’m always caught off guard by something: a vaulted passageway, the scent of spice from an open window, a fading fresco hidden in a quiet corner. Here, the past is always present – not in a grandiose way, but as if it had simply never left. Arezzo doesn’t perform. It just is.
Take time during your visit to step inside the Basilica of San Francesco and admire Piero della Francesca’s stunning frescoes. Visit the Vasari House for a glimpse into the painter’s life, or descend into the Roman Amphitheatre at the Archaeological Museum. These aren’t detours – they’re part of the city’s layers.
And when it’s time to rest, I recommend lunch at Il Gabbo, tucked beneath the Logge Vasari at the upper edge of the square. It’s a favorite of mine in every season – not just for its fresh, inventive dishes, but for the care they offer. If what you crave isn’t on the menu (like my daughter’s breaded chicken breast), they’ll still find a way to serve it with a smile – even if it takes a little longer. And all this while you overlook the hum of the fair, sipping a glass of Chianti.
Arezzo is like this. He doesn’t show off, he doesn’t try too hard. Every month the same – and yet always different. Depending on where you’re looking, where you’re walking, what you’re looking for, what you’re taking home Because Arezzo, if you come with an open heart, always gives you something – and maybe changes you a little.