On the first Sunday and the preceding Saturday of each month the Piazza Grande in Arezzo fills with collections of old furniture, household items, pots, linen, art…all kinds of treasures. The antique market began in 1968 and now attracts exhibitors from all over Italy, up to 500 in good weather.
Arezzo is a fabulous city, so I didn’t need much of an excuse to revisit. I am on the hunt for special items for the garden at Casa Debbio. It is still too early to begin planting, but not too early to find some old terracotta pots, or a sculpture or two.
The main part of the market is in Piazza Grande, but it spreads all through the town as well. We arrived on Saturday afternoon and the weather was awful, windy and raining. Most of the stalls had closed for the day. Lucky for us the sun came out on Sunday morning and we set out early…come for a wander through the market stalls in Arezzo.
As we were admiring the market delights we heard drumming and soon after a procession headed towards us. I have no idea what it was all about, but I love these moments in Italy.
There was a barber putting on a fine performance in the Piazza Grande.
Some birds were enjoying the blue sky…perhaps they were looking for bargains from above.
We stayed again at La Corte del Re, a great little hotel right on the corner of Piazza Grande. Here is the early morning view from the window.
I’m sure you will ask if I bought anything. The answer is yes and no. I didn’t buy anything at the market, but I returned to a shop we visited last year where we had fallen in love with a terra cotta table and bench seat. They were very expensive and we left them behind. The shop no longer wants to sell large items and these two pieces were going for a song…this time I couldn’t resist them. I will show you how gorgeous they are when they are installed at Casa Debbio.
Look for the shop if you are in Arezzo. It is called Arete and it is in Piazza Grande.
The antique market in Arezzo is well worth a visit. It is a fun spectacle as much as anything. Stay the weekend and really take the time to enjoy the town as well.
is there still a small hotel at the back of that arcade?
By: simonjkyte on March 12, 2016
at 6:20 pm
I can’t help you with that one.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 12, 2016
at 7:04 pm
ok
By: simonjkyte on March 12, 2016
at 7:51 pm
Great post 🙂
By: theitinerary1 on March 12, 2016
at 6:27 pm
Thank you.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 12, 2016
at 7:04 pm
Check out my blog when you get the chance 🙂
By: theitinerary1 on March 12, 2016
at 7:05 pm
Arezzo is considered as the best antique and vintage market in Italy. I haven’t been there for a while, so I do not know how it currently compare’s with the Lucca one.
The band was announcing the Jousting of the Saracens, a great event which takes place I June and September http://www.carnifest.com/events/italy/arezzo/657/jousting-of-the-saracens-in-arezzo-2016-the-first-contest.aspx
By: Mulino Dominillo on March 12, 2016
at 6:41 pm
I might have to go back for the jousting. It would be great.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 12, 2016
at 7:05 pm
I love a parade. It looks like an amazing day out
By: Lyn on March 12, 2016
at 8:19 pm
I love the drums and the costumes. It is always a lovely surprise when this happens.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 12, 2016
at 9:37 pm
I love visiting that market and that amazing aceess via the lengthy escalaters. I could have bought many things though suitcase space forbad it. A great town to visit indeed. Looking forward to seeing your setting.
By: Francesca on March 12, 2016
at 9:22 pm
Arezzo is a great town. This is my third time there and it won’t be my last.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 12, 2016
at 9:37 pm
I love the wooden geese
By: Liz Litzow on March 12, 2016
at 10:40 pm
Paola was most interested in those too.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 13, 2016
at 5:51 am
What a perfect day – i can feel the thrill of the parade and drums through the photos.
By: Jan on March 12, 2016
at 11:54 pm
I love a parade.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 13, 2016
at 5:52 am
Looks like a fabulous market. What a lovely way to spend the weekend. Looking forward to seeing the table.
By: Kerry & Jim on March 13, 2016
at 12:07 am
I am looking foward to seeing it sit under my new pergola…when it is built.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 13, 2016
at 5:52 am
Beautiful weather + being outdoors + an unexpected parade + being in Italy = priceless … and a good day
By: aFrankAngle on March 13, 2016
at 12:47 am
Yes, it was a good day.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 13, 2016
at 5:53 am
It looks like a fun place to browse and shop. I really like the old bike.
By: Just Add Attitude on March 13, 2016
at 8:15 pm
Arezzo is s great place to wander and shop at any time, but particularly when the market it on…I will return.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 15, 2016
at 6:50 am
I think I could go crazy here – so many fascinating things to buy
By: Mallee Stanley on March 15, 2016
at 1:33 pm
The market looks wonderful, Debra. How amazing to witness the lovely parade. The costumes are really fancy.
By: anotherday2paradise on March 15, 2016
at 7:49 pm
Lovely post Debra. I would go crazy at all the markets in Italy.
By: thirdeyemom on March 16, 2016
at 2:54 pm
I just love Arezzo. I think I’ve been to the antique market three times. I’m thinking about taking the train down when I’m in Lucca just to walk around and have lunch.
By: janie on March 16, 2016
at 9:29 pm
What an amazing experience, thank you for sharing!
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at 4:58 pm
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