Il Battistero di Pistoia è uno dei 6 battisteri della Toscana

Probably the least advertised of the Tuscan art cities, actually Pistoia And very seductive and of ancient foundation.

Proclaimed Italian Capital of Culture in 2017, Pistoia is of Roman origin, with the urban fabric that follows the boundaries of the three ancient city walls.

What to see in Pistoia

“Enchanted Stone City" And "City with wide streets and beautiful churches”, has been called by poets and writers, so many are the streets full of cloisters, churches and palaces that revolve around one of the Italy's most evocative cathedral squares, which is expressed in the main buildings that have characterised the political and religious life of the city over the centuries: the Town Hall and that Praetorium, The Bishops' Palace, the Cathedral of San Zeno, The Baptistery and the spectacular bell tower. 

In the oldest part of the town there is the suggestive Hall Square, all wrapped up around the Well of the Little Lion, which today hosts a weekly market. Characterized by small shops, stone benches and canopies, once the daily food market was held here. The small lion, placed in 1529 above the well's architrave, symbolizes Florence's definitive dominion over Pistoia.

THE'ancient center, included in a ring road that overlaps the route of the first circle of walls, contains unexpected and precious jewels, such as theCeppo Hospital, decorated by the majestic “Robbian frieze”, or the parish church of Sant'Andrea, which contains the splendid pulpit by Giovanni Pisano. And again: the Church of Tau, completely decorated with beautiful medieval frescoes.

The black and white marbles that adorn the exterior of the building are very attractive. Church of San Giovanni Fuorcivitas, beyond which the complex of the Church of San Filippo Neri and of the Fabronian Library.

What to see in the Pistoia area

Having crossed the outside third circle of walls - whose function overturned the concept of defense of the city, given that it had been built by the Medici to limit the insurrections of the Pistoiese against the surrounding territory controlled by them -, one can sweetly lose oneself among the paths of theEcomuseum of the Pistoia Mountains, where you can discover fabulous corners such as the village of Orsigna.

The main events in Pistoia

For music lovers, the prestigious event will take place in July Blues Festival in Piazza del Duomo, while for those who love folklore, a nice appointment is the Bear Carousel, modern re-edition of the ancient Palio of the Berbers which has been held every July 25th in the city since the 13th century.