Even Dante, the father of the Italian language, participated in the battle of Campaldino when he was about 20 years old.

Florentine Guelfs and Aretine Ghibellines clashed in the most important field battle ever fought in the Middle Ages in central Italy on June 11, 1289, Saint Barnabas` Day.

William of Durfort and Amerigo of Narbonne were at the head of the Florentine army, made of 1,000 cavalrymen and 10,000 infantrymen, whereas the bishop Guglielmino degli Ubertini headed the Aretine army, which consisted in 800/900 cavalrymen and 9,000 infantrymen.

The battle ended after some hours due to a sudden and violent storm. Florence, the winner, established its hegemony over Tuscany, while the Ghibellines, following the debacle, abandoned any velleities to take the power.

The battle field is still to be seen: the plain of Campaldino stretches between Pratovecchio and Poppi (dominated by the imposing silhouette of what is considered the most beautiful castle in the province of Arezzo, which is also the prototype of Florentine Palazzo Vecchio).

The castles of Romena and Porciano are worth a visit as well (for more information read also the chapter of this tourist guide dedicated to the castles in the province of Arezzo).

In short, spending some days in Arezzo means "living" a history lesson!