The Palace of the Fraternita dei Laici: a treasure in the heart of Arezzo
In the heart of Piazza Grande, the Palace of the Fraternita dei Laici stands out as one of the most fascinating historical symbols of Arezzo. Located next to the Logge Vasariane, it was built starting in 1375 and completed in the 16th century based on a design by Giorgio Vasari. The building is a rare example of architecture that harmoniously blends Gothic and Renaissance elements. Its façade is embellished with works of art and an imposing bell tower surmounted by an extraordinary astronomical clock.
Over the centuries, the palace has served civil, religious and cultural functions: it was the seat of the Fraternita, a place of welcome and then the city court. Since 2010, it has housed a museum that collects paintings, sculptures and precious documents related to the history of the city. Visiting this building means immersing yourself in a living testimony of Arezzo’s past, between art, devotion and civic commitment.
A historic building in the heart of Piazza Grande
The Palace of the Fraternita dei Laici overlooks one of the most evocative views of Arezzo: the upper part of Piazza Grande, next to the Logge Vasariane and the apse of the Pieve di Santa Maria. Its location is not accidental but symbolic: it represents the central role that the Fraternita has played in city life since the Middle Ages.
The building is the result of a long architectural process spanning centuries: the Gothic base was built between 1375 and 1377, while the Renaissance crowning and the bell tower with the astronomical clock were added in the 16th century under the direction of Giorgio Vasari. Each architectural element tells a piece of history: the loggia dating back to 1460, the sculptures on the façade, the splayed windows and the imposing portal are visible traces of a civic and artistic identity that still fascinates those who stroll through the historic centre of Arezzo today.
From mercy to art: the legacy of the Fraternita
The Fraternita dei Laici was founded in the 13th century as a city brotherhood with charitable aims: to help the poor, the sick and pilgrims. Officially established in 1262 with a statute issued by Bishop Guglielmino degli Ubertini, it soon became one of the most influential institutions in Arezzo, collecting bequests and donations from nobles, merchants and artisans. In addition to managing hospitals and shelters, the Fraternita invested in culture and art, commissioning prestigious works and contributing to the architectural development of the city.
Emblem of this commitment is the palace that bears its name: the historic seat of the institution, it now houses its rich archive, a museum with extraordinary works and the Casa della Musica (House of Music). Although it remains a secular institution, the Fraternita has always maintained a strong spiritual bond, entrusting itself to the protection of the Madonna della Misericordia, a recurring figure in the works of art that adorn the palace and recount its mission
5 works not to be missed in the Palace of the Fraternita dei Laici
The Palace of the Fraternita dei Laici is not only an architectural treasure trove in the heart of Arezzo, but also a museum that houses some of the most significant masterpieces of the city’s artistic and cultural history. The works on display, including paintings, sculptures and mechanical engineering, recount centuries of devotion, patronage and ingenuity, closely linked to the Fraternita and its benefactors. Visiting this place means embarking on a journey through sacred art and Renaissance science, between the expressive power of Parri di Spinello and the technical mastery of Vasari’s astronomical clock.
The five works we have selected represent the beating heart of the museum itinerary: living testimonies of a past that continues to dialogue with the present. From 15th-century painting to monumental sculpture, passing through mechanical rarities and preparatory drawings, each piece tells a precious fragment of the history of Arezzo and its oldest secular institution.
The Madonna della Misericordia by Parri di Spinello
One of the most representative masterpieces preserved in the Palace of the Fraternita dei Laici is the Madonna della Misericordia con i santi Donato e Gregorio (Our Lady of Mercy with Saints Donatus and Gregory), painted in 1448 by Parri di Spinello, son of the famous Spinello Aretino. The large fresco is located in the Audience Hall, one of the most spectacular rooms in the palace. At the centre of the composition, the Virgin stands facing forward, with her arms outstretched and her cloak spread out to protect the faithful gathered beneath her. Among them are influential figures of the time, benefactors and representatives of the Fraternity.
The work, charged with symbolic power, bears witness to the profound Marian devotion of the institution, which identified with the figure of the Madonna as its guide and protector. With a vigorous style and intense colours, Parri di Spinello manages to blend solemnity and spirituality, leaving an indelible mark on the visitor’s visual memory. A work to be admired and contemplated.
The sculptural group by Bernardo Rossellino
On the façade of thePalace of the Fraternita dei Laici, between the Gothic windows and under the bell tower, there is a sculptural work of great importance: the Madonna della Misericordia con i santi Lorentino e Pergentino (Our Lady of Mercy with Saints Lawrence and Pergentinus), created in 1434 by Bernardo Rossellino. The stone sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary in a central position, with her cloak open to protect the two saints of Arezzo, symbols of the city’s devotion.
The work, located high above the portal, is an expression of the sober and refined style typical of the early Renaissance, and was later flanked by statues of San Donato and San Gregorio, also by the same artist. This sculptural group testifies to the importance of the Fraternita in promoting public works of art as a visible sign of its religious and civil mission. The Madonna, with her protective gesture, stands out in the square as an emblem of faith, welcome and care for the community, remaining one of the symbols of Arezzo to this day.
The Astronomical Clock by Vasari and Felice da Fossato
One of the most fascinating jewels of the Palace of the Fraternita dei Laici is the extraordinary astronomical clock made in 1552 by master clockmaker Felice di Salvatore da Fossato and set in the bell tower.>1552 by master clockmaker Felice di Salvatore da Fossato and set in the bell tower designed by Giorgio Vasari. The only one of its kind in Italy, the clock not only tells the time but also displays complex astronomical information, such as the position of the Sun and Moon and the lunar calendar according to the Ptolemaic system.
The mechanism, operated manually by a system of weights and counterweights, controls a cycle of three bells that ring on the hour and quarter hour. Restored several times, most recently in 2002, it is now in perfect working order. The clock represents the fusion of art, science and faith: an engineering feat that reflects the Fraternita’s ambition to combine beauty and public utility, affirming its secular identity while remaining deeply integrated into the cultural and spiritual fabric of the city.
San Rocco in front of the Palazzo della Fraternita by Bartolomeo della Gatta
Among the most evocative works preserved in the museum of the Palace of the Fraternita dei Laici is the painting San Rocco in front of the Palazzo della Fraternita, created in 1479 by Bartolomeo della Gatta, a prominent painter and architect in the Tuscan Renaissance art scene. The work was commissioned as a votive offering after the end of the plague of 1477, a tragic event that deeply marked the city.
The scene depicts the pilgrim saint, protector against epidemics, portrayed in front of the headquarters of the Fraternita, emphasising the fundamental role of the institution in helping the sick. The painting, rich in architectural and symbolic details, is a testament to the deep integration between art and city life, spirituality and social commitment. Housed in the large central hall of the museum, San Rocco is not only a work of art but also a visual document of the collective memory of Arezzo and the resilience of its community.
The Bartolini Collection and Vasari’s drawing
Among the treasures housed in the Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici is the extraordinary Bartolini Collection, consisting of approximately 6,000 works donated to the Fraternita by the Arezzo sculptor Ranieri Bartolini (1794-1856). The collection includes paintings, sculptures and an important selection of neoclassical drawings, which are displayed in rotation in the museum rooms. Among the most important pieces is a rare preparatory study by Giorgio Vasari for the fresco Allegoria della Hilaritas, created in 1542 for the Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome.
This drawing, rediscovered during recent cataloguing work, is a valuable document for understanding the artist’s creative process and his ability to combine technical rigour with allegorical invention. The Bartolini Collection bears witness to the love of art and collecting in the 19th century, enriching the museum’s collection with works of great historical and aesthetic value that illustrate the continuity of Arezzo’s artistic culture from the Renaissance to the modern age.
Experience the beauty of the historic centre by staying at the B&B Cento Passi dal Duomo
For those who want to immerse themselves in the history, art and authentic atmosphere of Arezzo, the B&B Cento Passi dal Duomo is the ideal choice. Located just a few metres from the Duomo and Piazza Grande, it is within easy walking distance of the Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici and all the main attractions of the historic centre. After a day spent visiting museums, churches and fascinating sights, you can relax in a welcoming, well-kept and quiet environment.
Our B&B combines modern comforts and a privileged location to offer you an authentic and unforgettable experience. Whether you are an art lover, a curious traveller or simply in search of beauty, staying at Cento Passi dal Duomo will allow you to experience Arezzo in all its intensity, just a stone’s throw from its wonders.