Eternal guardian of the city and treasure chest of masterpieces, the Basilica of San Francesco consecrates the genius of Piero della Francesca in the fresco cycle named The Legend of the True Cross.

The basilica is located in the square which takes the same name. The Basilica of San Francesco was built during the fourteenth century in a light Gothic style. Once inside the church, walking along the only nave, you find yourself in front of the altar: here the beautiful cross which hangs from the ceiling (whose author is uncertain) has as its background the cycle of frescoes by Piero. A suffering Christ framed in an incredibly evocative art frame.

In 1452 the artist from Arezzo began his work, creating in fourteen years the most modern and perspectively measured frescoes that the fifteenth century Italy had ever conceived.

The story of the Cross is told on three levels and the absolute protagonist between court and battle scenes is the wood of the oldest tree, among whose veins the blood of Christ flowed: the tree that restores Life. Piero della Francesca puts us on a journey through the history of Christianity and the history of art, where the skyline of Arezzo also appears in the background, with the façade of the Cathedral clearly visible, disguised as the Holy City of Jerusalem.

From the death of Adam to the birth of the Sacred Tree and arriving at the creation of the Cross up to its loss and rediscovery at the time of the Crusades, getting lost in a journey through time will be a matter of a few, amazed glances.