Pistoia, also known as Florence, is a small city that is often visited by tourists from all over the world. There are larger, more famous cities nearby – Florence, Pisa, Lucca and Siena. When Pistoia was chosen the Italian Capital of Culture, even the inhabitants were surprised. You won’t find any great famous monuments here. The city won the title in recognition of its impressive cultural background, dedication to new ideas and vibrant local entrepreneurship. This is a great opportunity to present Tuscany and its developing cultural field.
Pistoia is located 50 kilometers from Florence. The easiest way to get here is by plane to Pisa, which is only 60 kilometers away. There are trains between the cities, so there is no need to rent a car.
Piazza del Duomo
Piazza del Duomo, located in the heart of Pistoia, is a square that pleases the eye of tourists. It is the architectural and social center of this medieval Tuscan city, where the past and the present seamlessly intertwine. The cobbled area surrounded by historic buildings is a place where history and culture intertwine.
Piazza della Sala
Piazza della Sala owes its name to the term of Lombard origin which was used to indicate the palace where power was exercised. In fact, the Palazzo del Gastaldo, the representative of the king who governed in his place, was erected there, but today no trace remains of this important building. On all sides of the square and in the nearby streets, small shops developed with wooden doors, stone pallets and canopies supported by wooden corbels which are still visible today. It also hosts the fruit and vegetable market every morning, from Monday to Saturday.
Palazzo Rospigliosi a Ripa del Sale
Palazzo Rospigliosi, in Pistoia, is an ancient noble building that stands on the first circle of walls and was purchased by the illustrious Rospigliosi family in the 16th century. The last descendant, Clemente Rospigliosi, left it as a legacy to the Episcopal Curia together with the paintings and furnishings it contained. The Clemente Rospigliosi Museum is located on the main floor. On display, practically intact, there is the furnishings of the seventeenth-century papal apartment which would have been set up on the occasion of the passage to the city of Giulio Rospigliosi, or Pope Clement IX. The pontiff’s room stands out here, furnished with a large four-poster bed in red damask. Also of great interest is the 16th and 17th century picture gallery, which includes works by artists such as Giacinto Gimignani, Sebastiano Vini and Lorenzo Lippi.
St. Cathedral Zeno in Pistoia
The Saint Zeno Cathedral is one of the buildings which embellish the Piazza del Duomo. The first time we hear about its existence is in 923 A.D. Its present-day aspect is the result of various modifications that have taken place over the years during the 12th, 14th, and 15th centuries. At the end of the 16th century, its gallery was modified to become what we can see today.
Inside the cathedral, we can see the most important evidence of the cult of San Jacopo. Of prime importance is the Silver Altar which is one of the greatest works of the Italian Gothic goldsmiths’ craft: work began on it in 1287 and carried on through and up to the 14th and 15th centuries.
Museum of the Spedale del Ceppo
Ospedale del Ceppo is a medieval hospital in Pistoia. The frieze on the Ospedale del Ceppo is one of the most important masterpieces of the Tuscan Renaissance and has long been considered one of the most prestigious symbols of the city of Pistoia. The particular front was created between 1526 and 1528 by Giovanni Della Robbia and his student Santi Buglioni, the nephew of Benedetto Buglioni. Giovanni Della Robbia portrayed the seven Acts of Mercy While the first six panels of the frieze are attributed to Santi, Giovanni would have sculpted the medallions with scenes from the Life of the Virgin and the Medici coat of arms.
Palazzo del Tau
The Palazzo del Tau is an ancient monastery of the Hospitaliero di Sant’Antonio Abate. Today home to the Marino Marini Museum, inside it we can find sculptures, paintings, lithographs and etchings by the artist known for his sense of movement and drama. The building is also home to an active multipurpose space, in the lobby of the museum there are, in fact, numerous concerts, theatrical performances, conferences, poetry readings or book presentations, enriching the artistic and cultural repertoire of the city.
Museum of the Ancient Bishops’ Palace
The Archaeological Museum occupies the building that was the Bishop’s Palace. It is one of the best preserved monumental ensembles in Romanesque style, and was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931. Its structure is a faithful testimony of the development of the city, with Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and modern elements. Its construction began in the 12th century and played an important role in the medieval urban organization.
Thermal baths of Monsummano and Montecatini
Montecatini
This picturesque health resort has architecture dating back to the 18th century, many wonderful landscape parks and castles. Montecatini Terme offers relaxation while exploring the Tuscan countryside, vineyards and monuments, and provides well-deserved relaxation in a luxurious atmosphere. Spa Terme Tettuccio is a magnificent Art Nouveau complex and is probably one of the most famous, if not the most photographed thermal spa in Montecatini. It is characterized by an impressive garden with Lebanese cedars, palms, redwoods, acacias, laurels, wisteria, pines, lindens and decorated with colonnades, stands, springs, fountains. Noteworthy are the colorful glass panels that illuminate the front entrance and bronze swimming pool.
Monsummano
Monsummano Terme is a wonderful thermal waters located 18 km southwest of Pistoia. Monsummano is the birthplace of the poet Giuseppe Giusti (1809-1850) and home to a wonderful spa, the Grotta Giusti Spa Resort, where you can bathe in thermal pools or sweat out all your toxins in a unique, steam-filled grotto, located in the grounds of a beautiful villa. The Grotta Giusti resort manages to combine wonderful 19th century life with excellent relaxation treatments, thermal pools and extensive grounds.
Zoo of Pistoia
The Zoological Garden is a 7-hectare park that is home to 600 animals including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, in an environment that tries to recreate their natural habitat as much as possible. It is an ideal place for nature lovers who want to learn about animals and is perfect for a family day out with children. A visit to the zoo is an opportunity for young and old to meet animals, become familiar with them and learn how to protect them.
Among the various species that can be encountered are brown bears, lynx, tigers, lions, giraffes, colorful parrots and the rare lemurs of Madagascar. You can also see the markov, the great wild goat of Afghanistan, the elephant, the American alligator, the Indian Ocean giant tortoise and many other species from around the world that come to the Park through European breeding programs for endangered species.
Shopping
In Pistoia you can also find shops as impressive as in Florence. The main shopping area (comprising Cavour, via Cino, via Ateo Vannucci and Orafi) is a pleasant place to browse clothes, shoes, leather products and jewelry. The main square, Piazza del Duomo, invites you to a market with fresh products every Saturday and Wednesday. In addition, a daily fruit and vegetable market is located right next to the traffic-closed Piazza della Sala, gathered around an old well. At night, there are many lively bars in the square. The names of the leading streets indicate the type of trade and food, covered by canopies. Look out for Fabbri (blacksmiths) and Caccio (cheese) and visit the local pastry shops and bakeries.
