**History of the Flat and Its Frescoes**
The apartment is located on the third and top floor of an ancient three-storey building on Via Mazzini, in the historical center of Arezzo. This building is adjacent to the birthplace of the renowned artist Giorgio Vasari. The unassuming exterior of the building belies the historical and artistic treasures hidden within. The staircase, renovated in the mid-20th century, features listed wrought iron railings adorned with the bishop’s coat of arms of the Diocese of Arezzo, Cortona, and Sansepolcro, indicating the building's historical significance and connection to the diocese.
The building, owned by the Diocese of Arezzo since at least 1700, served as accommodation for prelates and nuns. The top-floor apartment was home to Bishop Bernardino Cellesi, the capitular vicar of the Diocese of Arezzo, from around 1795 to the early 19th century. A Latin inscription in the entrance room, which was likely a prayer chapel, confirms Bishop Cellesi’s residency and his efforts to honor the Virgin Mary in 1801.
Upon entering the apartment, one is greeted by a high vaulted prayer chapel, which, despite not being fully restored, hints at the artistic richness within. The apartment, covering 116 square meters with ceilings up to 3.25 meters high, has been meticulously restored, blending historical frescoes with modern conveniences, creating a living space that feels like an art gallery or museum.
**Historical Context and Significance**
The period from 1795 to 1816 was a time of significant events in Arezzo, closely linked to the apartment and Bishop Bernardino Cellesi. In February 1796, a series of earthquakes shook Arezzo, leading to the miraculous event of the Madonna del Conforto, whose image reportedly lit up and protected the city. This event led to the construction of a chapel in Arezzo Cathedral, dedicated to Our Lady of Comfort, with frescoes by renowned painters Luigi Ademollo and Luigi Catani.
Bishop Cellesi played a crucial role during this time, overseeing the completion of the chapel’s frescoes and supporting the "Viva Maria" uprising against French occupation in Tuscany. His support of the resistance aligned the local church with the Medici family, who had historically contributed to the region's development.
**The Frescoes and Chapel in the Flat**
Bishop Cellesi’s connection to the painters Ademollo and Catani suggests that they may have also frescoed his apartment. The frescoes within the flat, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testament, bear a striking resemblance to their work, particularly in style and execution.
The flat’s entrance features a small chapel with frescoes that need restoration. These include depictions of the Nativity and the Flight to Egypt, with backgrounds reminiscent of the Tuscan countryside. Above the altar space, a Latin inscription honors the Virgin Mary, indicating the room’s sacred use.
**The Fireplace Hall Frescoes**
1. **The Fall of Jericho**: This fresco depicts the biblical story of Jericho’s walls collapsing after the Israelites, led by Joshua, circled the city with the Ark of the Covenant.
2. **Lot and His Daughters**: Above the fireplace, this fresco illustrates the story of Lot and his daughters fleeing the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, a tale of survival and divine judgment.
3. **The Feast of Balthazar**: On the opposite wall, this fresco shows the opulent banquet of Balthazar, where a mysterious hand wrote a prophecy of doom on the wall.
4. **Jael and Sisara**: This fresco depicts the moment when Jael kills Sisara, a Canaanite general, highlighting a story of divine justice from the Book of Judges.
This apartment in Arezzo offers a unique blend of historical significance, religious devotion, and artistic mastery. The frescoes, likely linked to Bishop Bernardino Cellesi and painted by prominent artists of the time, make this flat not just a residence but a living piece of history
