Tuscany - Arezzo province

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I passed several times from this Province but only a few occasions, I stopped here for tourism.
In un''occasione partii evening with Dorina stopping to sleep in the small mountainous country of consumption. The next morning we wake to the first light of dawn discovered to be in a location surrounded by a wooded area intensely. Sull'omonimo consuming step is divided in two between the provinces of Florence and Arezzo. From here we would like to achieve in Vallombrosa Province of Florence, but the road is stopped after a few kilometers to go back out and continue to Poppi. Along the road that crosses a zone of typical Tuscan hills deviamo to the small parish of Romena retaining a beautiful abiside. Back on the main route stop to the beautiful castle of Poppi I had already seen many years earlier. The Castle is a classic medieval building, once belonged to the Counts Guidi, with a tower and lace. Inside the courtyard there are stems invetriati and a monumental staircase. But also the surrounding village largely retains its medieval tiled with narrow streets, arcades, old houses. Shortly after we meet Bibbiena, this morning we get up really early and take advantage to have breakfast in a bar in the center, then visit the Church of Saints Ippolito and Donato. The city is spread on top of a hill, overlooking the gentle Tuscan landscape. Chiusi della Verna deviamo for the next stop, nestled in the woods dell'Appennino the beautiful Sanctuary of La Verna. The monastery was founded by Saint Francis of Assisi after it was donated to this mountain, the Pen, the Count of Chiusi. In this place Francis spent much time in different times and received the stigmata and the apparition of the Virgin Mary. The entire building is perched on a rocky outcrop, the place is mystical and calls to prayer. The most significant is the church located at the point of appearance of the Virgin, the Santtuario itself, the cave of Francis, the chapel and the corridor of the stigmata. The place is also a rich trove of art works, Corridor of the Stigmata is frescoed with scenes from the life of the Santo and everywhere there are beautiful terracotta by Andrea della Robbia. The environment invites contemplation with a forest of giant trees. A large boulder near the monastery seems to defy the force of gravity being almost suspended in air. In this sacred place destination for many pilgrims reigns sobriety. The guesthouse is very simple and rightly so in a place where St. Francis lived in a narrow cave and slept on a big stone. Leaving La Verna we stop for lunch in Sansepolcro, the largest center of the Tuscan Tiber Valley. Here we walk through the streets of central impression from looking at the medieval cathedral and city hall. In early afternoon we reach the capital, Arezzo, and the first stage of the Basilica of San Francesco to see the choir frescoes by Piero della Francesca's restored not long ago. The central Corso Italia leads all'antichissima Pieve di Santa Maria from the beautiful rich facade of columns and arches. Equally beautiful and ancient abiside the rear that overlooks the Piazza Grande, the heart of the city. La Piazza is incredibly beautiful, has an upward slope that makes it special, you overlook important buildings and it takes a regular famous antiques market. In this square seems to take a dip in the past. A short walk through the old town brings us to the Basilica of San Domenico to admire the Crucifix by Cimabue. From Arezzo, take the road along the hills of Castiglion Fiorentino, descend to the south up to Cortona, an ancient town situated on top of a hill with great medieval palaces. The tour starts from the Cathedral and the Church of Jesus transformed into a major Diocesan Museum, which among other works holds the famous Annunciation by Beato Angelico. Then we walk in the cobbled streets of the old town lined with ancient buildings and reach the two main squares, Signorelli and the Republic. Here we see the Palazzo Pretorio and a panoramic terrace, a broad view that ranges from the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie located downstream to Lake Trasimeno in Umbria. Turning into a road that crosses the country and leads to Lucignano, a well-preserved medieval town enclosed within walls elliptical almost intact. Walking in the streets of the small village of houses, arches and towers, is like taking a leap into the Middle Ages. After a brief visit to far we are in another walled medieval town, Monte San Savino. On the main road facing many well preserved buildings like the Loggia dei Mercanti and the Church of St. Augustine. From there take the highway to San Giovanni Valdarno where we come in the evening, the fact remains that we can admire the beautiful Palazzo Pretorio also known under the name of the Palace of Arnolfo di Cambio. The building of medieval origins presents a façade, preceded by the porch, on which are shown when the number of coats of arms of nobility. There is a public demonstration inside and this allows us to access the dipoter salon entrance. Dinner at a Chinese restaurant in front of the square and then take the road to home.
One just described is the most comprehensive conducted tour nell'Aretino but in fact in this area already had been on other occasions: to work at Arezzo and children to the Sanctuary of La Verna with an organized tour by bus. At the last occasion I visited the Hermitage of Camaldoli sull'Appennino located in a truly isolated from the rest of the world, away from urbanized areas and in the middle of the woods. I had visited the monastery and some poor cells of the hermits.