Visiting Province of Arezzo and its artistic, historical and natural beauty

Province of Arezzo is a typical example of Tuscany’s artistic, historical and natural beauty. The landscape is dotted with small towns and villages that have their own charm and individuality. Cortona, Cennina, Castiglion Fiorentino, Monte San Savino, Sansepolcro and San Giovanni Valdarno are among the best known.

You can read more about the city of Arezzo here.

Cortona, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy
Cortona, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy by ho visto nina volare

The province is separated into several parts by the rivers of Arno and Tiber, that flows through its territory. Each part offers something different. While the populous part of the upper valley has a lot of fields and is rich in farmland, Casentino valley is rich in forests. To the south there is a wide open valley Val di Chiana, once inhospitable swampy valley. The Tiber valley is a country with gently undulating hills.

Castiglion Fiorentino, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy
Castiglion Fiorentino by Craig D

Area with a rich Etruscan history boasts a remarkable architectural heritage. There are several castles, Romanesque churches and monasteries. But this region boasts also a great nature, which is often protected by nature reserves or parks. You will find here more than twelve protected areas. Landscape around Arezzo is exceptionally magical in autumn, when the trees turn color and hills are red or golden.

Palazzo del Monte San Savino, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy
Palazzo del Monte San Savino by K.Weise

On the mountain pastures to the east you can see sheep, whose milk is used for production of delicious cheese. You can also taste local wines such as Chianti dei Colli Aretini, Bianco Vergine della Val di Chiana or Colli dell’Etruria Centrale.

Val di Chiana

The wide and fertile valley of the Chiana river stretches from Arezzo to Chiusi, at the border with the region of Umbria. The valley, which is one of the most beautiful places in all of Italy, was originally a swamp, which was dried and fertilized by the Etruscans along with the Maremma region.

There are picturesque towns, monasteries and Etruscan necropolis in this area.

Val di Chiana, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy
Val di Chiana, Arezzo, Tuscany by Marcello Testi

Val Tiberina

The Tiber River rises on Monte Fumaiolo (1,407m) in the northern Apennines, just a few kilometers from the source of the river Arno. Both rivers flow in parallel into the vicinity of Arezzo, separated by a mountain ridge Alpe di Catenaia.

Tiber valley is rougher and steeper, and the development and settlement here took place in a certain isolation from the surrounding area. This area, however, has also a rich history.

Val Tiberina, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy
Val Tiberina, Arezzo, Tuscany by Antonello Tanteri

Val d’Arno

The unique and picturesque valley of the river Arno was created in prehistoric times. The valley is formed by gentle slopes with pine trees on their tops, shady oaks, olive groves and lush vineyards.

The valley is full of charming villages with their bell towers, the old town towers, parish churches and castles. Due to its large width, the Arno valley was the scene of many bloody battles. The valley is, thanks to its agricultural tradition and production of high quality wine and olive oil, the oldest and most important economic areas of Arezzo region.

Valdarno, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy
Valdarno, Arezzo, Tuscany by L3O

Casentino valley

Casentino valley is situated around the upper parts of the river Arno, from the village of Stia (east of Florence) to Arezzo. Its typical characters are wooded hills, cute Apennine valleys and steep mountain passes.

The area is rich in history as well. The landscape is decorated with numerous castles, beautiful Romanesque Baptisteries and temples.

Casentino National park, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy
Casentino National park, Arezzo, Tuscany

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