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City: Anghiari - Pop. 5900 - Alt : 429 m a.s.l. - Location:
Tuscany
 Description:
The ancient medieval village of Anghiari lies at 429 m above sea
level on the hills of Tuscany 26 km from the town of Arezzo. It
takes the name from the angular shape of the castle from which it
was dominated. Anghiari is a lovely medieval town lying between two
rivers, the Tiber and the Arno. The powerful thirteenth century
walls made the town an invincible fortress which constituted an
important reference point and kept the Tuscan flag flying during the
many historical events that occurred in this delicately balanced
border area. First news date back to 1048. The city boasts the
presence of great noble families and it is also known still today
for one of the most important battles fought in the Italian
territory (1440).
 The countryside around Anghiari has an untouched atmosphere
with ancient woods dotted with monasteries and archaeological sites
• The town is a suggesting maze of streets, alleys and small piazzas,
with fascinating medieval houses and renaissance palazzos
overlooking the spectacular scenery of the surrounding River Tiber
Valley.
Sights and Attractions:
Piazza Baldaccio is the city center, where every week a richly open
air market takes place. In the Piazza is a beautiful portico with 3 stone
pillars from the 15th C.
• St Maria delle Grazie: this small church built among 1628 and
1740. This small church is worthy of a visit thanks to the works which
preserves, among which is Maria della Misericordia, big polychrome glazed
terracotta from Della Robbia school, 2 paintings by a Florentine painter:
“The Last Supper” and the “Washing of the feet”. On the right altar
dominates the “Deposition from Cross” (1515)
• The Tower Watch: it dates back from 13th C., it was also destroyed
in 1502 and restored in 19th C.
 • Palazzo Pretorio: Now it is the seat of the Town Hall. It
preserves a great fresco from the 15th C. attributed to Antonio d’Anghiari,
portraying the Justice, recalling the time when the Palazzo hosted the Court
of Law
• La Badia: it was built by the monks and preserves the impressive
ligneous crucifix dating back to the 13th C. located on the high altar and
venerated by the local people since ancient times
• Church of St Agostino: built in the 13th C. and restored in the
18th c. It has the façade decorated by Renaissance portal. The interior has
single nave with 6 side chapels from 15th C. Of note is a tripthyc by Matteo
di Giovanni and a terracotta high relief with Adoration of the Sheperds •
Palazzo Taglieschi Museum: in its 20 rooms it hosts many artworks. Worthy of
note the ligneous statue of Virgin by Jacopo della Quercia, the Nativity by
Andrea della Robbia (16th C.), an ancient organ and a big collection of
paintings, utensils and agricultural implements, valuable glazed pots, small
statues, musical instruments , weapons, painted ceilings and the
sculptured stone sinks and fireplaces
 • Palazzo del Marzocco is located in front of Palazzo Taglieschi,
and was built in 16th C. by the Angelieri family. Today it is the seat of
the Anghiari Battle Research Center, which shows models, drawings, object
and details about this event
• St Stefano Church: it dates back to 7th C. and it’s considered one
of the most ancient churches in the River Tiber Valley. The square plan is
enriched by three semicircular chapels which stick themselves out as apses.
Museums:
Misericordia Museum: the Museum collects numerous uniforms,
means of transport for ills, surgical instruments and other objects •
Battle of Anghiari Museum • Museum of Palazzo Taglieschi (20 rooms with
paintings, wooden sculptures, capitals, bells, furniture and sacred
vestments, terracottas including some works of Della Robbia and Jacopo
della Quercia.
Events and Festivals: Every second sunday of each month
the Market of Antique dealing and Collecting takes place in Piazza Baldaccio.
• Every year at the end of April and the beginning of May an extensive craft fair takes places within the walls of the picturesque medieval town. Tiber Valley Artisan and Craft Fair is both a market and exhibition of hand crafts where you can admire and buy artisan products such as wood, wrought iron, fabrics and foods that are made in the Tiber Valley.
•
27 August, The Smugglers Walk: a walk that ends at Ponte alla Piera where, up until only 50 years ago, farmers from the Tiber Valley and the Casentino illegally swapped tobacco and gun powder. Then, after a picnic lunch, the day ends with the ‘smoking’ of the cigars that have been made on the spot by the women of Chitignano.
• 11-12th November, St Martin Bringoli Festival: Traditional village food festival with ‘brustichino’ (toasted bread with oil and garlic) sausages, chestnuts and the years new wine. The real star of the show however, is the ‘Bringoli’, a classic fat spaghetti made by hand by the local housewives from just flour and water and then serves with mushroom or meat sauce
10th December, Procession of the Madonna of Loreto: This is a traditional festival that has particular importance in Anghiari. At 7 o’clock in the evening a solemn Procession wends its way through the narrow streets of the old town centre where, in the most picturesque spots, ‘Tableau Vivant’ or Living Pictures are ‘performed’ representing Christmas scenes from the Old and New Testaments. At the head of the procession is the Madonna di Loreto, a 14th century wooden statue.
Market day: Wednesday
Flea market: Every 2nd Sunday
Typical products: Ceramics, wrought iron, wicker baskets.
Surrounding smaller towns and hamlets:
Catigliano, Motina, Ponte alla Piera, San Leo, Scheggia, Tavernelle,
Viaio, Carboncione.
Neighboring towns: Arezzo, Caprese Michelangelo, Citerna, Monterchi, Pieve Santo Stefano, Sansepolcro, Subbiano.
Nearest airport: Florence airport
Nearest train stations: Arezzo
Public transportation:
Distances:
Arezzo 30 km;
Florence
103
km; Milan 390 km; Montepulciano 81 km;
Orvieto
136 km; Perugia
73 km;
Pisa 203 km;
Rome 246 km;
Siena
96 km; Viterbo km.
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