Arezzo and more

I left Assisi Saturday morning to go visit a friend in Arezzo. Federica was my Italian instructor for a few years in Seattle before she returned to her hometown. She was gracious enough to volunteer to show me around her hometown and then Sunday morning to drive around to some of the nearby hilltowns in Tuscany and Umbria.

Arezzo

Roberto Benigni's Oscar-winning film "Life is Beautiful" was filmed here.

I hate Roberto Benigni. 

Seriously. I think he's the Italian Jerry Lewis.

That said, he sure picked a good location to film.

Cool Renaissance era building on the outskirts of the historic center, next to a convent.
We walked inside to discover about 15 people ready to start reciting the rosary.
Our presence lowered the average age by about 30 years.

Federica and some Aretine roofs.

I love it when they light up these ancient buildings at night.

You know who had these walls built? The Medici family. Yes, that one.

The next morning we were off to explore some hilltop towns in Federica's car.

Monterchi.
(Every time I heard that name, my brain instantly translated it into "my turkey."
My brain was wrong. It happens.)

Monterchi is famous for this fresco of "La Madonna del Parto,"
which means Our Lady of Childbirth. It's a rare image of a pregnant Mary.
(Although frankly, IMHO it could just as easily be Our Lady of Digestive Problems.) 

From Monterchi, we could see this nearby hilltop town.
Federica asked what it was and a local told her it was Citerna, a well-preserved Medieval village.
We decided to add it to the itinerary.

Next stop Sansepolcro, where we found this piece of modern art in one of the piazzas.
It's made out of pieces from plastic bottles.

This was a fun moment. The little boy was yelling
"Out of my way. Here comes the winner!"
as he raced by us in his own private Giro d'Italia
(Italy's answer to the Tour de France).
The training wheels only made it more cute. 

Set aside the fact that John the disciple
seems to be calling Jesus safe at home plate.

What I found fascinating was that this portrayal of Jesus has him looking
a lot like a Mediterranean Jewish peasant. What a concept.

Here is what is sometimes called "The Most Beautiful Painting in the World."
Its presence here helped prevent Sansepolcro from being bombed by the Allies
as they pursued the slowly retreating Germans.
The actual fresco is up those steps and is partially blocked from view due to a restoration.

It's the Resurrection.
It is NOT Jesus getting out of the bathtub
and that kind of comment is NOT appreciated here.
(It really is very beautiful.)

I found this inlay panel interesting because it may be the only portrayal of the cross
that I've seen in any church in Italy without Jesus in it.

This was different. I like to think it was an early attempt to portray movement,
and it's Jesus shaking his head "No." Like on the comics page. 

It looks as if she's trying to discreetly see if she remembered to use deodorant.

This fit young lad is Saint Sebastian of the Tiny Underwear.
I wonder if this painting was popular among the priests. 

Another Saint Sebastian, looking rather surprised.
Perhaps at all the attention he's getting.

I love the changes you can find in the exteriors of some buildings.
Let's put a window here.
No, I want it here.
That door's in the wrong place.
Does anyone else think it's drafty in here? 

Remember the view of Citerna from Monterchi?
Well, this is Monterchi as seen from Citerna.

One of the highlights of Citerna was the residents.

Here's La Vita Bella.

And one in the window.

And here's a photo I took on the train ride back to Assisi.

It's a decal that I read as "Look, we know you're going to throw stuff out the window,
but for Pete's sake, don't throw a bottle. That could hurt someone."

And now I'm off to go restaurant hunting. Wish me luck.