Santuario di Santa Maria delle Grazie is a 15th century sanctuary, situated on the outskirts to the south of the town (1.5 Km from the centre) at the end of the straight viale Mecenate.
The portal, which was transferred here after the demolition of porta S.Spirito, opens into a picturesque courtyard with a lawn surrounded by two sections of portico.
The church in the background dates from the first half of the fifteenth century and was built on the ruins of the ancient Fonts Tecta, considered to be the site of a pagan water cult.
The building is late Gothic with a single nave and a cross vault. Towards the end of the century, Benedetto da Maiano erected the external stairway and the portico, a masterpiece of early Renaissance lightness and grace, with seven arches resting on slender Corinthian columns.
In the interior, it is worth seeing the high altar, made of marble and enamelled terracotta (end of the 15th century).
It is an unusual work by Andrea della Robbia: in the tympanum there is a Madonna with Child and Angels; in the niches the Saints Lorentino, Pergentino, Donato and Bernardino; in the antependium, a Pietà, and in the centre a fresco by Parri di Spinello (Madonna of Mercy).
Opening hours:
8.00-19:00
Not visitable during masses
For further informations:
Ph: +39 0575323140
Fax: +39 0575 20620
E-mail: santamaria@abd.it
Web site:
Arezzo.net
