Sansepolcro
Sansepolcro is a town in the province of Arezzo, in Tuscany, set in the Valtiberina along the upper course of the Tiber river, clo...
Updated 21 July 2026
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What to do in Sansepolcro now
The story
The story of Sansepolcro
Introduction and location
Sansepolcro lies in the north-eastern part of the province of Arezzo, at the heart of the Tuscan Valtiberina, the upper valley of the Tiber river which here marks the natural border with Umbria. Its location at the foot of the Apennines, close to the ridges separating Tuscany, Umbria and Marche, has historically made it a meeting point between different territories. The surrounding landscape alternates cultivated flatland along the river with gentle hills, offering a well-preserved rural setting around the historic urban core.
History and origins
The origins of Sansepolcro are linked to the tradition of a monastic settlement founded along the route connecting the Tiber valley to the Umbrian lands, from which the town's name derives. During the Middle Ages the settlement grew around this religious nucleus, acquiring defensive walls and an orderly urban layout that still shapes the historic centre today. Coming under the influence of various Tuscan and Umbrian ruling families over the following centuries, the town reached its artistic peak in the fifteenth century, the period to which most of its buildings and finest paintings date back.
Nature and landscape
The territory of Sansepolcro is crossed by the Tiber river, which rises not far from here and flows along the floor of the Valtiberina, shaping a landscape of cultivated fields, poplar groves and tree-lined banks. Gentle hills devoted to typical crops of the Tuscan hinterland rise around the town, while further east the profile of the Umbrian-Marche Apennines closes the horizon with wooded ridges. This scenery, less known than Tuscany's more touristy areas, retains an authentic, rural character appreciated by those seeking quiet walks and cycling routes along the river.
What to do and see
The historic centre of Sansepolcro, enclosed within its old walls, is best explored on foot through arcaded streets, Renaissance palaces and religious buildings that bear witness to the artistic wealth the town once achieved. The Museo Civico houses works of great value connected to Piero della Francesca, the painter born here, making it an essential stop for anyone interested in Renaissance art. Walking through the main squares reveals craft workshops and businesses tied to local traditions, while the walls themselves offer scenic views over the surrounding countryside and the Tiber valley.
Flavours and traditions
The cuisine of Sansepolcro is rooted in Tuscan peasant tradition, with dishes based on fresh pasta, pulses, local meats and olive oil produced on the hills of the Valtiberina. The town has also long been tied to the processing of medicinal herbs and small-scale food production, sectors that have contributed over time to the local economy. Popular events recalling the town's old military and craft traditions are held throughout the year, occasions when the historic centre comes alive with processions, markets and communal gatherings tied to the local calendar.
Not to be missed
- The historic centre enclosed by the old town walls
- The Museo Civico with works linked to Piero della Francesca
- The arcaded streets and Renaissance palaces of the old town
- Walks along the Tiber river and the Valtiberina countryside
- The local craft traditions and popular festivals of the area
To see
What to see in Sansepolcro
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Routes in Sansepolcro
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