There is a Tuscany to be discovered outside of the classic tourist routes focused on the itineraries of Florence, Siena and Pisa. Among the protagonists of this hidden Tuscany there is also the small one village of Anghiari in the province of Arezzo. Many have already noticed its beauty. Not for nothing is it included in the list of the most beautiful villages in Italy. It has also been designated an orange flag and to slow city due to its incessant activity of enhancing its own identity and cultural heritage.
Anghiari is immersed in the green of the twelve Tuscan hills, nestled between the Monti Rognosi Nature Reserve and Lake Montedoglio. The thirteenth century walls that limit the perimeter of the small town give a timeless atmosphere. Everything seems to have stopped in the Middle Ages.
With the turned nose through the streets of the village of Anghiari
In the village of Anghiari the medieval air oozes from its ancient stone buildings. And just those walls were witnesses of a fundamental passage for the time. In fact, in the valley below, the so-called "Plain of the Battle"Was the scene of the famous Battle of Anghiari which saw the Florentine army overwhelm the Milanese invaders. The battle was so impressed in the memory of the Florentines that in 1503 they commissioned the genius of Leonardo da Vinci to make a fresco on the wall of the Hall of the 16th century of the Palazzo Vecchio. Unfortunately the work has been lost, and today there are only a few sketches by artists who were lucky enough to see it. Walking with turned nose the streets of the village of Anghiari the first thing you will notice is the Clock Tower.
Continuing to wander through the small alleys of the center, you cannot miss the two main buildings: Marzocco Palace and Taglieri palace. The first also nicknamed "Palace of the Battle"Houses a museum dedicated to the war. It is not only a reconstruction of the famous episode, but a real journey into the history of the village of Anghiari from its origins to the present day. Taglieri palace, on the other hand, houses a series of important works of art, such as the Madonna in polychrome wood by Jacopo della Quercia. Walking outside the alleys of the center, you will surely come across the Vicar Gardens. Here among the greenery and all the colors of flowers that dot the entire village, you can enjoy a good coffee and enjoy the view of the relaxing green areas offered by the valley.
The tradition in the hands of the Anghiarese
Walking around the village of Anghiari will be like taking a dip back in time. The smell of tea Middle Ages will not only rise from the buildings, but also from its inhabitants intent on preserving and handing down their traditions. In the village there are many craft activities still present: carvers, wicker weavers and wool weavers.
The traditional it is not maintained only through the survival of these ancient crafts, but also through many celebrations dating back centuries. The most famous is certainly the "Scampanata di Anghiari". Every 5 years in May, Flared participants must present themselves in the central square by six in the morning. The latecomers are then picked up from their homes on a fully decked-up cart, and they are hit by a toss of eggs and flour by a crowd in raptures. In the village of Anghiari time and tradition come together to recreate a unique atmosphere that you can relive only by immersing in it spirit and body.
