Piazza Grande, also known as Piazza Vasari, is the main square of the Tuscan town of Arezzo. For centuries it was the center of social life in the Middle ages the square was called Piazza del Comune, because it placed the City Hall, and in the 16th century it became known as Piazza Vasari because of the impressive Loggia, built on the North side of the square by the famous artist and architect of that time Giorgio Vasari.

Archaeological finds indicate that in the 3rd century BC.e. through this place passed Etruscan road which connected the city of the living" with the "city of the dead", located on a small hill of Poggio del sole. Later, it was paved Roman road. In the Middle ages, the Piazza Grande was a huge market, in the Northern part of which was the bird market, from-for what the area is sometimes called Piazza dei maiali (Swine size). From the 11th century Piazza Grande becomes the center of political, commercial, military and religious life of Arezzo. In those days, the area looked almost like today, except for its Northern part, where now you can see the City Hall with its red brick tower on the right and the Palazzo del CAPITANO on the left. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the area has undergone significant changes: all the medieval buildings were plastered, towers and Gothic decorative elements disappeared, were a fountain and the Palace Court. Gradually was orderly market trading in the area, and today on the Piazza Grande has not seen the market at all. Yes, and the square itself has ceased to be the centre of city life, with the exception of days of the tournament, the Giostra del", here again when going to a motley crowd.

In the Western part of the Piazza Grande you can see the apse of the Church of Santa Maria della Pieve, as well as the facade is decorated with a series of loggias. Unfortunately, the apse was badly restored in 1864-78-m years and is significantly different from its original Romanesque appearance. Another notable structure is the area of the building Fraternita dei Laici, which is now a part of the Palace Court. It was built in the late 14th century, the congregations of St. Mary, founded in 1262, the year. The brotherhood that its members twice a week bypassed Arezzo asking for alms, and in the Renaissance it became wealthy and powerful urban Institute – the brotherhood had their own schools, and it even sponsored the education of some students at the University of Pisa and abroad. The funds of the brotherhood were also built Vasari Loggia, the town Church yard, city water system and the shelter. Construction of Fraternita dei Laici started in 1375, the year and ended two centuries later. Such a long period is reflected in the fact that in the external appearance of the building is a mix of styles – Gothic, Renaissance and late Renaissance. In 1552, the year Felice Yes the fossato built a clock at the top of Fraternity, which today are one of the oldest working hours in Italy. According to the legend, Yes the fossato blinded after he built a clock that he couldn't create anything similar. In the 18th century between the apse of Santa Maria della Pieve and the building of Fraternita dei Laici was built the Palace of the Court – perhaps the only Baroque building Arezzo.

Slightly to the side stands the Palazzo Lippoli – medieval building of the 14th century, with beautiful wooden balconies and a tower. Assume that the tower was built a century later and actually belonged to another building that stood to the left. In the 18th century Palazzo and Torre were plastered, and to the Palace was added to the iron balcony.

Another noteworthy building on the Piazza Grande – elegant Palazzo Brizzolari, built in the 15th century for a wealthy merchant family Kafani. Nearby is the Torre dei Kafani. But, of course, the "pearl" of the square is the Loggia Vasari is one of the most beautiful buildings of Arezzo. It was designed by Giorgio Vasari and considered his masterpiece. Work on the construction of the Lodge began in 1573, the year and ended after the death of the architect in the 17th century. Name Loggia building received a large open gallery, which used to be home to the best shops in the city.

In the Northern part of the square, in front of the Loggia, is Petrone – stone pillar with the ball and cross on top. This is a copy of the original columns of the 13th century, which served for the conviction of criminals and debtors. And in the bottom of the Piazza Grande, you can see the fountain, built by the project Vasari in 1602, the year.