Arezzo - Santa Maria della Pieve

Santa Maria della Pieve was erected over the remains of an earlier church from the early 12th century on. It was was the stronghold of the city's struggle against its feudal bishops, who were building the nearby Cathedral and a palace, that was rather a castle just outside the city walls.

It took about two centuries to complete Santa Maria della Pieve, and so there is a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Most unusual is the the facade faces this small street (today "Corso Italia"), while the apse borders to the Piazza Grande.

Originally the rectangular facade had no special features, but already end of the 12th century it got changed (probably to impress the feudal bishop). There is a five-arch lower floor surmounted by three loggias, with the number of columns increasing with the elevation.

Here is a detail of one of the tympanums. Behind a protective net is Virgin Mary, flanked by angels. The carving style is extremely delicate, note the embroidered garment.