San Francesco, Arezzo 🇮🇹

Step into the Basilica of San Francesco in Arezzo, Tuscany, a late Medieval church dedicated to St Francis of Assisi that holds one of the true masterworks of the Italian Early Renaissance. Outside, you will notice an unfinished, unrealized façade on this second Franciscan church built in Arezzo, following the destruction of their earlier location outside the city walls. Inside, you will find a large, simple, and unadorned single nave flanked by left-side chapels and right-side niches, leading to a tall, groin-vaulted square chancel.

At the chancel entrance, look for a very large suspended painted rood crucifix by a Master of San Francesco, as well as a Madonna in Majesty by Guido da Siena and 14th-century fresco details along the walls and niches. Below the main space lies a smaller Lower Church, now utilized as an exhibition hall. The absolute highlight of your visit is the Cappella Maggiore, featuring Piero della Francesca's famous Legend of the True Cross fresco cycle.

Commissioned after initial vault work by Bicci di Lorenzo, Piero painted these intricate scenes across three levels using brilliant symmetrical correspondences rather than strict chronological order.

What to see at San Francesco, Arezzo

• Marvel at Piero della Francesca's Early Renaissance fresco cycle, the Legend of the True Cross
• See the large suspended painted rood crucifix created by a Master of San Francesco
• View the 13th-century Maesta (Madonna in Majesty) painting by Guido da Siena
• Explore the 14th-century frescoes adorning the interior walls and right-side niches
• Visit the lower church (Chiesa inferiore) beneath the main building, now an exhibition hall

Visiting tips

Be sure to look at the chancel's side and eastern walls to appreciate how Piero della Francesca arranged the frescoes in symmetrical pairs rather than chronological order.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

San Francesco, Arezzo is easy to reach on Arezzo’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Arezzo Cathedral. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Arezzo travel guide.