Streets of Workshops in Arezzo, charm of handicraft in the historic centre

Arezzo, the city that brought artists like Piero della Francesca and Giorgio Vasari to international fame and recognition, is much more than a treasure trove of renaissance art. The City of Arts is also, and above all, the cradle of a refined and wide artisan tradition, which has defined its most authentic and vibrant soul since the age of ancient etruscan Arretium.

To fully understand the city's proud and sophisticated atmosphere, especially on a first-time visit, it's essential to look beyond its most famous squares and attractions to delve instead into those that, over centuries, have been a true crossroads of “know-how”: the Streets of Workshop, namely Via Cavour, Via Cesalpino and Via Bicchieraia.

Lined with ancient artisan workshops that seem to be hanging in time, these magical streets of the historic centre are essential stops for all visitors eager to capture the true essence of Arezzo and its inhabitants.

Stroll with us through these iconic streets and prepare to experience a more authentic and captivating Arezzo, ever noble and elegant, through the prestigious simplicity of the handicraft that here continues to flourish, day by day, in timeless masterpieces.

The cultural function of Arezzo's Streets of Workshop, for both residents and tourists, feels extremely important. These places, rich in charm and vitality, for generations have preserved an immense civic heritage of arts and crafts, life experiences and personal stories to be told, a precious human and professional legacy that transcends the simple commercial sphere and restores to artisan activity its natural synonyms of passion, dedication and knowledge.

Arezzo has always boasted the special title of “City of Gold”, an excellence that is highly recognized in the goldsmith workshops of its historic centre. The art of goldsmithing has always been one of the town's most deeply rooted traditions, proudly celebrated at the Orodautore Museum on Via Vasari; however, many other artisan disciplines have thrived in the city for numerous generations.

Arezzo's ancient handicraft finds extraordinary expression, for example, in leather goods transforming leather into tailored accessories, in carpentry reviving period furniture and creating unique works of art - such as the Golden Lance, coveted trophy of the Saracen Joust; in the production of artistic ceramics reflecting colors and style of Tuscany, and of course in artistic restoration and painting, essential practices for the preservation of the city's artistic and monumental heritage. There is no shortage of evocative art and antiques galleries, a presence intrinsically related to the historic Antiques Fair inviting visitors to venture into distant worlds and times.

Walking through the Streets of Workshops in Arezzo's historic centre is an experience that evokes precisely these emotions: an interest beyond the simple finished object, which instead focuses on the life stories and inspirations of local artisans. Entering an artisan workshop today is a privilege, fortunately not for a few ones, which allows to witness the skilled gestures of busy hands, to listen to the story of a profession, in a dialogue between past and present that transforms a simple purchase into a precious memory full of human and cultural significance.

The journey through Arezzo's artisan handicraft through its Streets of Workshops begins on Via Cavour, one of the main ways that cuts through the historic centre and packed with fascinating attractions. This street perfectly embodies Arezzo's dual soul: monumental, with extraordinary beauties such as the medieval Basilica of San Francesco – housing wonderful frescoes by Piero della Francesca - and noble Palazzo Rossi Ferrini, yet lively and commercial, with a path to follow that stimulates the appetite of curious looks seeking the flavor from the past.

Via Cavour is a veritable hall of antiques and refined taste, best explored on a leisurely stroll. Some of Arezzo's most renowned historic workshops are located here, with many years of experience behind and a prestige palpable as soon as you step inside. Antiques are at home in places like Fatucchi and Polimnia Antichità; the latter is a treasure trove where visitors can admire exquisite 20th-century jewelry and handcrafted items, works of style and elegance that convey the precious charm of high fashion.

The elegance of a stroll along Via Cavour enhances by discovering historic establishments like the Pernici Watchmaking Shop, where the meticulous precision of timekeeping combines with the refinement of artisan mastery, including also more recently established spaces dedicated to contemporary art such as the gallery of American artist and collector Danielle Villicana, a proof of how the city's tradition and ancient renaissance fascination can fruitfully dialogue with brilliant new creative expressions.

Continuing the stroll through Arezzo's historic centre, it’s time to cross streets that may be less traveled than the main thoroughfare, Via Cavour, but no less rich in charm and stories of authentic handicraft. Here are Via Cesalpino and Via Bicchieraia, icons of a living and contemporary craft.

Via Andrea Cesalpino is the beating heart of Arti/già/nato, an innovative and impactful project for the city housed within the historic Palazzo Chianini Vincenzi at number 15. This space presents itself to visitors as a permanent showcase and arts laboratory in the heart of Arezzo, bringing together the area's artisan excellence and shaping an interesting blend of professions and expertise. Among the initiative's protagonists there are some of the town's leading craftspeople: from master goldsmith and silversmith Marco Conti to wood restorer Nicoletta Simonella, from the custom-made leather goods by Carmen di Lorenzo to the wrought iron furnishings by Giuseppe Innocenti, from the Casentino cloth creations by Tessilnova to the artisan footwear by Domenico Festa.

Arti/già/nato, however, is not just a meeting place and exhibition space; it aims, above all, to be a place of active creation where styles, materials and visions can merge in a lively dialogue between artists and the public. Just a few doors down, the presence of antique traders and furniture and interior design specialists, such as Giusi Santagati's workshop, consolidates this street's identity as an engaging district of handicraft’s taste and skills.

The journey within the journey to discover Arezzo's handicraft places concludes on Via della Bicchieraia, which offers enthusiasts the thrill and inspiration of painting. It is here, in fact, that artist Laura Ghezzi keeps her art workshop dedicated to the artistic restoration of frescoes and paintings; a sincere tribute to the greatest of arts history who have left their mark on the city, such as master Piero della Francesca, and which as today as yesterday celebrates the timeless fresco technique with renewed vivacity.

Including a visit to the Streets of Workshops in a program of exploration and discovery of Arezzo is the key to a truly complete and evocative experience, where you won't just feel like a tourist but an integral part of a grand narrative. The city, welcoming and vibrant, feels indeed like the ultimate destination for enjoying the pleasures of the arts and experiencing the magic of events celebrating its artisan tradition.

The unmissable event is undoubtedly the Antiques Fair, a market event held on the first Sunday of every month and the preceding Saturday for over fifty years now, which enlivens the entire historic centre with enthusiasm and vitality. Antique stalls and exhibitors from all over Italy, local collectors and artisans, workshops and art galleries ready to open their magical world to visitors eager to immerse themselves in this fascinating experience of discovery and wonder: a stroll through Arezzo thus transforms into a mini treasure hunt, where to rediscover childhood objects, admire refined and elegant creations, or perhaps take home a small whimsical souvenir made from the creative flair of an artisan.

Equally unmissable the special occasions related to the holidays: Christmas in Arezzo is colored with evocative decorations that adorn the historic shop windows of the Streets of Workshops, while the summer days dedicated to the double Saracen Joust highlight the city's innate elegance, combining it with the mysterious charm of the historical revival.

For those who wish to make their trip an even more indelible and enriching memory, Arezzo offers the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the know-how of its master craftsmen with extraordinary first-hand experiences offered by Fondazione Arezzo Intour. A few examples? The goldsmithing workshop led by expert designer Steve Angeli, to discover everything about how a piece of jewelry is made according to the mastery and excellence of Arezzo’s gold, and the painting and fresco workshop at an iconic workshop on Via Bicchieraia, to test your skills and create your own little artwork.

These experiences are unique moments on a journey to enjoy in full sensory involvement. Arezzo is a city to admire with the eyes, taste with its aromas and flavors and listen to with its melodies amidst the chatter of the people and the tolling of the Cathedral bells; but it is also a city to discover and touch with your own hands, diving into the most authentic heart of the city's artisan, artistic and antique businesses in its intriguing Streets of Workshops.