The Cathedral of San Donato: the Cathedral of Arezzo
The Cathedral of San Donato in Arezzo, also known as the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Donato, is an architectural and spiritual jewel that dominates the city from the top of a hill. Its history is rooted in Roman times and intertwined with that of the martyred saints. With a neoclassical façade redone in the early 1900s and an interior that encompasses centuries of art and devotion, the cathedral stands as a time capsule. Inside, the three naves and works of art, including those by Guillaume de Marcillat and Giorgio Vasari, tell stories of faith and beauty. A unique feature is the Ark of San Donato, which holds the remains of the city's patron saint. To visit it is to take a journey through the history, art and spirituality of Arezzo.
The Cathedral of Arezzo dedicated to Saints Peter and Donatus has always been considered the city’s most significant religious site—not only because it houses the bishop’s seat. Also known as the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Donatus, it stands atop a hill where a previous Paleochristian church once rose, certainly located on the site of the Roman acropolis.
Although the city’s first cathedral was built on Colle della Pionta—exactly where the remains of the martyr Donatus, executed in 363 AD, lay—Pope Innocent III wanted the cathedral to be within the city walls. The year was 1203, but the Cathedral of San Donato in Arezzo began to be built only towards the end of the 13th century and was completed only at the beginning of the 16th century after many construction phases.
The most recent reconstruction of the façade was carried out between 1901 and 1914, based on Viviani’s design, to replace the never-finished one dating back to the 15th century.
Duomo of Arezzo: Features
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Donatus – photo by Luca Aless from Wikimedia Commons
The neoclassical façade is distinguished by varied sculptural decoration that enhances the gabled front, which follows the profile of the three naves. In the lower section are three splayed portals adorned with a low-relief lunette. Note the gable crowned by three statues, each protected by its own canopy, placed only on the central portal which, aligned with the main nave, also features a circular rose window.
The building retains its original 14th-century structure in blocks of sandstone and, on the right side, features a powerful Florentine portal framed by two porphyry columns once used in a pagan temple.
The existing bell tower is the third built for the Cathedral. Initially, the tower was attached to the church, but the vibrations generated by the bells damaged the marvellous stained-glass windows by Guillaume de Marcillat, forcing architects to build a second, more distant bell tower—unaware that an aquifer lay beneath it, undermining its stability. This led to the construction of a third “edition” of the bell tower (the one seen today) with a hexagonal plan, later connected to the cathedral by adding a wing for the guardians’ lodgings.
The interior of the Duomo of Arezzo is divided into three naves, each articulated into six bays with ribbed cross vaults and without a transept. The round arches rest on compound piers, and both the central nave and the right nave are characterised by circular rose windows that let in light.
The central tympanum, three and a half metres wide and depicting Pentecost—with the Apostles seated, the Virgin at the centre flanked by two angels, and the Holy Spirit—is the work of Guillaume de Marcillat. Also by De Marcillat are the paintings adorning the upper section of the central nave and its vaults.
The polygonal 13th-century apse lies at the end of the main nave. It is lit by three biforas sealed with polychrome stained glass installed after the world conflict that caused the loss of the original windows.
The Ark of Saint Donatus in the of Arezzo
Ark of Saint Donatus, Duomo of Arezzo, author Spike, photo from Wikimedia Commons
At the centre of the Duomo of Arezzo stands the high altar from the late 13th century and, behind it, the Ark of Saint Donatus, a marble ensemble dating from before the 14th century, created in homage to Saint Donatus, bishop and patron of Arezzo, whose remains rest inside the ark while his head is kept in a reliquary in Arezzo’s parish church.
Many artists worked on the decoration of the Duomo of Arezzo: Agostino di Giovanni, Betto di Francesco, Agnolo di Ventura, and Giorgio Vasari, who designed the wooden choir of the main chapel.
Evocative is the 14th-century tomb of Gregory X, in Gothic style, located near the first altar by Burali del Torri (1614) and the Tarlati Chapel (1334). Also noteworthy is the Chapel of Our Lady of Comfort from the late 18th century, which houses a series of terracotta statues in the style of the Della Robbia.
In the left nave, admire the Baptism of Christ, attributed to Donatello, while Hilary baptising Saint Donatus is the work of Francesco di Simone Ferrucci.
The large painting by Pietro Benvenuti, depicting the Martyrdom of Saint Donatus, dominates above the 17th-century altar and before a Renaissance organ by Luca da Cortona, which stands on a gallery by Vasari.
Full of character is the cenotaph of Guido Tarlati, the city’s bishop who died in 1327, located in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. Next to the monument is a work by Piero della Francesca depicting Mary Magdalene.
Don’t miss a stay near Arezzo
After visiting the majestic Duomo of Arezzo, dedicated to Saints Peter and Donatus, and admiring its extraordinary works of art—from Guillaume de Marcillat’s stained-glass windows to the Ark of Saint Donatus—there is no better way to end the day than by treating yourself to a relaxing stay at the B&B Country House Poggio del Drago. Located just minutes from Arezzo’s historic centre, our bed and breakfast is the ideal choice for those who wish to combine the pleasure of cultural discovery with the comfort of the Tuscan countryside.
Poggio del Drago welcomes its guests in a refined and authentic setting, where every detail is designed to offer a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. The rooms, tastefully and warmly furnished, overlook the typical landscape of the Aretine hills, offering views that invite peace and well-being. The panoramic pool and outdoor spaces are perfect for enjoying moments of tranquillity after a day spent among museums, monuments, and strolls in the heart of Arezzo.
Book your stay at Poggio del Drago
Staying at Poggio del Drago means experiencing the most authentic Tuscany, in contact with nature and just steps from the city’s artistic treasures. It is the ideal starting point to explore not only Arezzo and its Cathedral, but also the surrounding area, rich in history and charm. Book your stay now at the B&B Country House Poggio del Drago and discover the pleasure of genuine hospitality in the heart of the Aretine countryside.
