Piero della Francesca’s frescoes were restored between 1985 and 2000 to address structural and chemical decay.
The fresco cycle 'The Legend of the True Cross' is based on the 13th-century text 'Legenda Aurea' by Jacopo da Voragine.
The Bacci Chapel cycle was commissioned by the Bacci family, one of Arezzo's wealthiest merchant families in the 15th century.
The church was constructed for the Franciscan order, which emphasized simplicity over the ornate decoration of contemporary cathedrals.
The wooden crucifix by the Master of San Francesco is one of the earliest examples of the shift toward more emotional, humanistic depictions of Christ in Tuscan art.
The Basilica di San Francesco in Arezzo is a 13th-century brick church renowned for housing Piero della Francesca's Renaissance fresco cycle, 'The Legend of the True Cross'. The building features a single-nave interior design typical of the Mendicant orders, emphasizing acoustic clarity and a large space for preaching. The Bacci Chapel, located at the end of the choir, serves as the primary site for the fresco cycle, which was painted between 1452 and 1466. The church's exterior retains a minimalist Romanesque-Gothic facade. The interior also contains a significant 13th-century crucifix attributed to the Master of San Francesco. The church is integrated into the regional museum network of Tuscany.
The facade from the center of Piazza San Francesco, though photography of the interior frescoes is strictly prohibited.
Advance booking is mandatory for all visitors to control capacity and humidity levels in the Bacci Chapel.
Visit during the shoulder seasons to avoid the heat and heavy crowds of the mid-summer months.
Do not attempt to enter without a reservation, as the limited capacity for the Bacci Chapel often results in same-day sell-outs.
Closed on certain public holidays and occasionally for private research or conservation maintenance.
Modest dress is required: shoulders and knees must be covered. Silence is strictly enforced due to the sensitive nature of the frescoes.
