Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici – one of the most important monuments of Arezzo

History and description

Located in the historic and artistic heart of Arezzo, the Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici is a Gothic‑style building with Renaissance and late‑Renaissance elements. Designed by Giorgio Vasari and built in 1375, it was originally the seat of a lay confraternity founded in the 13th century with charitable purposes. The exterior is distinguished by a façade decorated with the sculptural group Madonna della Misericordia by Bernardo Rossellino and by an astronomical clock—one of the rarest in Europe—created by Felice di Salvatore da Fossato with a system of three bells. Inside, the palace hosts an exhibition route that also includes the 6,000 works of the Bartolini Collection, displayed in rotation. Among the highlights are Spinello Aretino’s original fresco Pietà and Bartolomeo della Gatta’s Madonna della Misericordia. Today, the Fraternita remains a vital part of the city’s cultural heritage, also preserving a historical archive of its activities.

Curiosities

The astronomical clock not only marks the hours but also shows the lunar phases and celestial movements, and it is still in perfect working order. Inside the palace, visitors can also find a small but interesting art gallery and a panoramic terrace offering a unique view over Piazza Grande and the rooftops of Arezzo.

Access

Open to the public with seasonal hours, the building can be visited along with the museum, the panoramic terrace, and the clock room for €5.00, with free admission and specific reductions available.

How to reach it

Located in Arezzo’s historic center, the palace can be reached by car (with parking near the center), by train (Arezzo railway station), by bus, or on foot.

A symbol of Arezzo’s civic history, the Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici offers an experience that blends art, science, civic history, and spirituality.

Photo credits: Poco a poco (Wikipedia) - Licensed by CC 4.0