Identity: the black horse, Palazzo dei Priori and the Giostra del Saracino
The municipal statute ties Arezzo's identity to its municipal history, which it dates to the 12th century, gives a territory of 384.53 km² and places the Comune's seat in Palazzo dei Priori. The coat of arms is a rearing black horse on a white field; the mayor chairs the Giostra del Saracino institution. The statute does not list neighbourhoods or frazioni.
Sections: Geography · History · Population · Languages · Time zone · Public holidays
What the statute says
The Comune's statute (text in force since 17 February 2011, after the revision approved by the City Council on 22 December 2010) recalls Arezzo's municipal history, which it dates to the 12th century, and commits to preserving "the historical identity and distinctive features of Aretine society". It also recalls the city's role in the Risorgimento and the Resistance and treats the natural environment and the historical and cultural heritage as essential and limited assets of the community.
Territory, seat and symbols
The municipal territory covers 384.53 km² and borders, among others, Subbiano, Anghiari and Cortona. The Comune's official seat is Palazzo dei Priori. The coat of arms is a rearing black horse on a white field, granted by decree of 9 July 1931, and appears on official acts, the seal and the gonfalon. The statute names no patron saint and no neighbourhoods or frazioni.
The Giostra del Saracino
The only city tradition the statute names is the Giostra del Saracino, run by a municipal institution chaired by the mayor. The regional tourism portal describes it as a chivalric tournament of medieval origin held in Piazza Grande, giving its dates as the second-to-last Saturday of June and the first Sunday of September.
Data
Sources
Updated: 2026-10-22
Updated: 2026-10-22
Reviewed: 10/23/2026 · by piero.avolio · rev. 1 · Period: → 2027-10-31
No questions in the community · Ask the community