The square is built on a 10-meter gradient, creating a unique, non-flat urban space.
The loggia on the northern side was commissioned by the Medici family and bears their crests.
It is the setting for the Giostra del Saracino, a competition where knights on horseback target a wooden effigy of a Saracen king.
Portions of the square’s paving were reconstructed using original materials salvaged from ancient ruins.
The Pieve di Santa Maria, which faces the square, features a distinct Romanesque facade with 12th-century columns.
The square is one of the few in Italy that is intentionally sloped rather than leveled by leveling foundations.
During the medieval period, the square was the primary marketplace for the city's wool and textile merchants.
Piazza Grande is Arezzo’s sloping, trapezoidal main square, renowned for its uneven brick paving and surrounding medieval architecture. It is famously built on a steep incline, featuring a 10-meter drop from the highest to the lowest point. The northern side is dominated by the Palazzo delle Logge, designed by Giorgio Vasari in 1573. The square serves as the primary filming location for the 1997 film 'Life Is Beautiful.' It hosts the Giostra del Saracino, a historic jousting tournament dating back to the Middle Ages, held twice annually. Several historic towers and the apse of the Pieve di Santa Maria border its perimeter. The piazza functions as a social hub, lined with outdoor cafes, restaurants, and artisanal shops. It is the architectural center of Arezzo’s historic quarter.
The highest point of the square near the Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici for a panoramic view of the sloping ground and the loggias.
Visit during the Giostra del Saracino to see the square in period-accurate historical context.
Wear comfortable, flat footwear as the steep incline and historic brickwork can be challenging to navigate.
Walk the perimeter to view the distinct architectural styles that change from the bottom of the slope to the top.
Avoid dining at the immediate corner establishments during peak summer midday heat, as they can be significantly overpriced compared to nearby side-street options.
Closed to public access during the setup and execution of the Giostra del Saracino in June and September.
Maintain a respectful volume in the residential areas surrounding the square.
