Churches and a fort

We started the day in the Basilica of San Francesco. The walls of the part of the church behind the altar were covered in a whole series of frescoes by Piero della Francesca. These told the story known as the Legend of the True Cross in which the wood used for Jesus' s cross is followed from a seed planted Adam's mouth to where  it is brought back to Jerusalem many years later by Heraclius.

In the crypt of the church we saw an exhibition of old photos of Arezzo  and a display of travellers photos from about 100 years ago as they did their Grand Tour. We sat in a cafe watching the world go past while we considered our next activity.

After lunch we walked back to the fort and wandered around inside. The restoration process is on going.  We walked to the Duomo but it was not yet open after its afternoon siesta. What a pity, we had to go to another cafe. The Gothic style was pleasing in its simplicity.  I liked the light timber  modern chairs for the people officiating in the services.

Another nice dinner. Smoked swordfish for appetiser, chicche ( small gnocchi) with seafood for primi, baked orata ( a fish) and grilled chicken for secondi,  friarielle  ( like spinach but less pleasnt) and grilled eggplant  for contorni.  Accompanied by a glass of local chianti and local valdichiana. Looking out over a piazza. Life is tough.