Palazzo della Fraternità dei Laici
Palazzo della Fraternità dei Laici
4
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
363 within 5 kms
Attractions
100 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
150 reviews
Excellent
58
Very good
67
Average
23
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Mairwen1
United Kingdom9,563 contributions
May 2022
This is one of several historic palazzos and buildings on Piazza Grande. It is located at the high end of the sloping piazza, next to the Logge Vasari and is easily recognisable by its distinctive bell tower and clock.
Construction started way back in 1375 but continued into the 16th century when Giorgio Vasari added the bell tower.
It’s worth knowing a little about the clock. It’s a real rarity. Whilst its beautifully decorative, we didn’t appreciate just how unique it is. Not only is it one of the oldest in Italy, it’s one of the rarest in Europe. It operates using a system of 3 different stone counterweights on heavy ropes which requires it to be wound every day.
The ingenious mechanism also allows for an astronomical clock, which tracks the movement of the sun and the phases of the moon. The inner circle of 29 Arabic numerals show the days of the lunar month and in the middle of the clock-face, you can see a model of the earth at the centre of the universe with the sun and moon circling around it. When the clock was built, it was still believed that this was how the universe operated. The ideas of the ancient Greek astronomer, Ptolemy, were still very much in vogue.
We were told that, according to legend, the clock was so very special that nobody wanted other cities to have anything like it. To make sure of this, when the clock-maker, Maestro Felice de Fossata finished the clock in 1552, he was deliberately blinded so that he would never build another one. This seems an exceptionally cruel and unusual measure. A trade union would have been handy.
The other thing to notice on the outside is the lunette above the main door. It holds a surprisingly bright fresco of Christ, painted around 1395 by Spinello Aretino. Above it, is a 15th century sculpted relief of the Madonna della Misericordia by Bernardo Rossellino. It is flanked by St. Donald and Pope Gregory X.
Inside, there is a museum run by the Fraternita dei Laici. A charitable lay organisation first established by the Domincans in 1262, they are still very active today in their promotion of history and culture.
Construction started way back in 1375 but continued into the 16th century when Giorgio Vasari added the bell tower.
It’s worth knowing a little about the clock. It’s a real rarity. Whilst its beautifully decorative, we didn’t appreciate just how unique it is. Not only is it one of the oldest in Italy, it’s one of the rarest in Europe. It operates using a system of 3 different stone counterweights on heavy ropes which requires it to be wound every day.
The ingenious mechanism also allows for an astronomical clock, which tracks the movement of the sun and the phases of the moon. The inner circle of 29 Arabic numerals show the days of the lunar month and in the middle of the clock-face, you can see a model of the earth at the centre of the universe with the sun and moon circling around it. When the clock was built, it was still believed that this was how the universe operated. The ideas of the ancient Greek astronomer, Ptolemy, were still very much in vogue.
We were told that, according to legend, the clock was so very special that nobody wanted other cities to have anything like it. To make sure of this, when the clock-maker, Maestro Felice de Fossata finished the clock in 1552, he was deliberately blinded so that he would never build another one. This seems an exceptionally cruel and unusual measure. A trade union would have been handy.
The other thing to notice on the outside is the lunette above the main door. It holds a surprisingly bright fresco of Christ, painted around 1395 by Spinello Aretino. Above it, is a 15th century sculpted relief of the Madonna della Misericordia by Bernardo Rossellino. It is flanked by St. Donald and Pope Gregory X.
Inside, there is a museum run by the Fraternita dei Laici. A charitable lay organisation first established by the Domincans in 1262, they are still very active today in their promotion of history and culture.
Written 30 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jocelyn S
Magliano Sabina, Italy431 contributions
Apr 2021
Interesting small place with notable paintings, the short climb to the small platform beside the bell tower was worthwhile for the stunning views over the city.
Written 1 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
westy54
Sydney, Australia9,050 contributions
Jul 2019
This Palazzo fronts onto the Piazza Grande and was built in various stages between 1375 and the second half of the 16th century when the bell tower and the Aristotelian-Ptolemaic Clock built in 1552 were installed. An additional part of the Palazzo that spreads out in the direction of the apse of the Santa Maria della Pieve was completed in the second half of the 17th century.
The Palazzo is occupied by the Fraternita dei Laici, a private institution that was founded in 1262 and is dedicated to offering public assistance particularly in projects of social interest.
Over the centuries the Fraternita has been the recipient of some generous gifts, bequeaths etc and in 2010 opened a museum to showcase some of its collection of artwork, sculptures, books and furnishings. The cost of entry was EUR 5-00 per adult and covered several rooms full of paintings on the ground, first and second stories. There was a lift that took you from the Ground floor to the first two stories otherwise there were about 35 steps between stories. Many of the paintings were portraits of notable citizens at that time which I didn't find that interesting.
What was interesting though was the 1552 clock that is still in operation. Unfortunately there was no lift from the second storey to the bell tower and observation deck so we had to negotiate the 57 stairs. It was though well worth the climb to see the inside mechanisms of the clock in action as the bell struck an hour. The views of the Piazza Grande and across the rooftops of the other buildings was also quite spectacular.
There was also a display of gold jewellery on the ground floor.
The Palazzo is occupied by the Fraternita dei Laici, a private institution that was founded in 1262 and is dedicated to offering public assistance particularly in projects of social interest.
Over the centuries the Fraternita has been the recipient of some generous gifts, bequeaths etc and in 2010 opened a museum to showcase some of its collection of artwork, sculptures, books and furnishings. The cost of entry was EUR 5-00 per adult and covered several rooms full of paintings on the ground, first and second stories. There was a lift that took you from the Ground floor to the first two stories otherwise there were about 35 steps between stories. Many of the paintings were portraits of notable citizens at that time which I didn't find that interesting.
What was interesting though was the 1552 clock that is still in operation. Unfortunately there was no lift from the second storey to the bell tower and observation deck so we had to negotiate the 57 stairs. It was though well worth the climb to see the inside mechanisms of the clock in action as the bell struck an hour. The views of the Piazza Grande and across the rooftops of the other buildings was also quite spectacular.
There was also a display of gold jewellery on the ground floor.
Written 27 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Borzov
Rijeka, Croatia5,256 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
The palace at the huge central square had various stages of construction, from the Gothic in the 14the century and the Renaissance in the 15th century to the design of Giorgio Vasari and building of the clock tower in the 16th century. The official name of the fraternity was Fraternita di Santa Maria della Misericordia and its mission was to help the poor and the sick.
Written 18 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zi0Bobby
Angera, Italy42 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
Historical building with an interesting clock tower, with earing clock mechanism you can see closing. Fantastic sightseeing onto the main square, one of the most beatyful in Italy as confirmed.
Written 4 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bobulus
Hampton, VA40 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
A museum featuring the Bartolini collection of paintings, scultures and drawings. What I fund most interesting, however, was the exceptional old clock that has been working for nearly five centuries. Using ropes and stone weights as well as some interesting levers and such, it keeps amazingly accurate time. A climb to the top of the tower allows one to see what appears to be appears to be a simple mechanisn at first glance, but is actually a very complex system of gears, weights, and levers. In addition, from the top of the tower one gets an exceptional view of the rooftops of Arezzo as well as a panoramic view of the surrounding area. It is well worth the price of admission.
Written 18 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stefano B
Rio de Janeiro, RJ24 contributions
Sept 2017 • Friends
best view you can have how could be the life 1000 years ago looks like a flash back in the history. nice street nice place nice people
Written 19 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert P N
Los Angeles, CA2,414 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
If Siena seems overwhelming to you, stop by Arezzo. It is much smaller, easy to navigate, has nice modern shopping in 16th century buildings. Walking the town gives a good feeling of just what it was like in the Mid Evil Centuries.
Note: there are a lot of beggars, and most of them are "actors", i was surprised to see a limping man, barely uttering words, looking ragged and holding out a hat. and then later down the palazzo, he is walking around talking to friends, smoking and hanging out. so be careful who you think might be suffering.
Note: there are a lot of beggars, and most of them are "actors", i was surprised to see a limping man, barely uttering words, looking ragged and holding out a hat. and then later down the palazzo, he is walking around talking to friends, smoking and hanging out. so be careful who you think might be suffering.
Written 3 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arizonapopi1
Florence, Italy810 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
This is worth the 3 Euro admission. We would have taken the guided tour if it had been offered. The view is great, the clocks and bell tower are amazing. Other than the brief folder in several languages all the printed material is in Italian. Maybe for an additional 1 euro this could have been overcome with a guided tour?
Written 10 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RealW0rldTraveller
Alberta, Canada509 contributions
Jun 2016
Not much to see for 3 euro. None of the plaques are in English so nearly impossible to understand the few exhibits in the building. Only reason I didn't give it a 1 is that the view from the top of the clock tower is pretty good.
Written 13 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingPalazzo della Fraternità dei Laici - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Palazzo della Fraternità dei Laici
- Hotels near Palazzo della Fraternità dei Laici:
- (0.05 km) Old House
- (0.05 km) Piazza Grande Boutique Apartment
- (0.05 km) The Court of the King Guest House "hospitality in the center of Arezzo"
- (0.06 km) La Corte del Re Suite & Charme house
- (0.08 km) La Pieve
- Restaurants near Palazzo della Fraternità dei Laici:
- (0.02 km) La Bottega Di Gnicche
- (0.02 km) Vasari Café
- (0.04 km) L. Indigeno Wine & Food
- (0.04 km) Ristorante Logge Vasari
- (0.04 km) Il Mattarello