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Arrezo is the largest of the Tuscany towns we have visited so far, and despite its “city” status, it does not lack in personality. The city was heavily bombed during World War II, and one can definitely notice a more modern architecture. Nonetheless, I was equally impressed with its rebuilding and restoration efforts. Arezzo has managed to keep its Tuscan charm.

As with all field trips, the whole program gathers around a main piazza, and Liliana, our Art History Professor, always gives us an excellent introduction to the city’s history, architecture styles, and what to look for in the museums and churches we are about to visit. We are very fortunate to have her in the program. Our first stop was the “Museo d’Arte Medioevale e Moderna”, which is currently holding a great exposition about the master “Piero della Francesca e le Corti Italiana”. Very Nice! (As a side note, we shared the museum with the Italian former Prime Mister, Massimo D’Alema, who also happened to be touring the region. It was interesting to see how more relaxed his security team was.)

Our next stop was supposed to be Chiesa de San Francesco, which also hosts some famous frescos from Piero della Francesca. However, I befriended the very amicable Padre Vezzio (sp?), who insisted in giving us a private tour of his church, which also had several famous frescos from Master Vesario. Padre Vezzio was extremely funny and very proud of his church – to the point that we were hold hostage for quite awhile, and he almost made us miss our appointment at Chiesa de San Francesco — although they had to reminded that we were late, they let’s us in.

We then had a quick lunch and went to our usual stroll of the city. Arezzo has an internationally acclaimed jewelry industry. However, by the time we finished lunch, all the jewelry shops were closed for siesta – Ashley hinted that I timed it just so. Not true folks!

Sansepolcro is the opposite of Arezzo in terms of size. It is probably the smallest of the walled towns we have visited so far. Keeping with the Piero della Francesca theme, it happens to be his birthplace. Its main attraction is, again, Chiesa de San Francesco, and the Museo Civico. They are both very nice, and the town is, as you might expect, very cozy. However, a couple of the students stole the afternoon highlights.

For whatever reason, they decided to climb out of one of the upper level windows of the Museo Civico and get on the museum’s roof. Now, as in Arezzo, the Italian former Prime Mister was again visiting the Museo. And as you might have guessed by now, his security rushed to the roof and gave the kids a much deserved scare.

[What in the world were they thinking?!? We had just left the Museo for gelato, otherwise I would definitely have some pictures…]