termo_prato

Pistoia, the town of plants and flowers

Pistoia StemmaThe city of Pistoia is especially rich in precious Romanesque and Renaissance monuments; churches in particular. It is the proud home of one of the most charming squares in Italy, the Piazza del Duomo; geographical center of the city and monumental hub of the civil and ecclesiastical power. In the city there are many museums, such as the Tactile Museum, designed for the blind, and an underground archaeological tour that provides an unusual view of the city. Pistoia is also known for its farming; its most important economic activity, which constitutes 25% of the total production of ornamental plants in Italy, as well as the Pistoia Zoo.

The Ansaldo-Breda factory is the largest enterprise in Pistoia of mechanical engineering. It has acquired an important international client base for all leading-edge products, trains, subways and trams there are.

Salva

AREA Plain of Ombrone river
TYPE city of art capital of the province of Pistoia
COORDINATES 43°56′0″N 10°55′0″E
ALTITUDE 67 metri o.s.l.
PRODUCTS flowers and ornamental plants
SPORT hiking, rugby, cycling
BORDERS Marliana, Motale, Piteglio, Quarrata, Sambuca Pistoiese, San Marcello Pistoiese, Serravalle Pistoiese

pistoia città mapTourist informationpistoia mappa

Pistoia Municipality
Piazza Duomo, 1 – 51100 – Pistoia (PT)
www.comune.pistoia.it

Touristic office
Piazza Duomo, 4 – 51100 – Pistoia (PT)
pistoia@pistoia.turismo.toscana.it
Phone: +39  0573 21622   +39 0573 3711

 

Salva

WHAT TO SEE

Churches in Pistoia

chiesa san giovanni evangelistaChurch of San Giovanni

Cathedral of San Zeno (Duomo) - Baptistery

pistoia-cattedrale-di-san-zeno-02Area: Plains of Ombrone river
Type: Romanesque cathedral (13th century)
Address: Piazza Duomo
Phone: +39 0573 25095
Opening hours: Cathedral of St. Zeno – every day 8:00 am to 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm
Tickets: € 3.60 full ticket – € 2.00 reduced Chapel of San Jacopo

Built in the early Middle Age, the church was destroyed by two fires and then rebuilt in the 13th century. Over the centuries it has undergone several changes, and was restored to its original appearance in the 20th century. The façade is two-tone Romanesque. The interior is divided into three naves with a raised presbytery and crypt. The bell tower, in Romanesque style, was built in the 12th century above an ancient tower of Lombard origin.

The cathedral preserves valuable artwork. First of all, the altar of St. James; in embossed silver foil, by Andrea di Jacopo di Ognibene, located in the Chapel of the Crucifix. The altar, which Filippo Brunelleschi also worked on, is a sacred jewelry masterpiece and was built between 1287 and 1456. Another important work is the Crucifix on a panel created in 1274 by Coppo di Marcovaldo and his son Salerno. The sides represent six episodes in the life of Christ: the Capture of Jesus Christ before the priests, the Flagellation, the Deposition from the Cross, the Deposition of Jesus in the tomb, The Three Virgin Mary’s at the Tomb.

Of particular interest is the fresco of the Last Judgment, by Giovanni da Ponte (1420-1425), in the Chapel of Judgment. In the cathedral there is also a fully functional transmission organ, built in 1793 by Louis and Benedict Tronci. Under the presbytery are the remains of a Roman villa in the Imperial Age and the early church (available for visits).

Battistero San Giovanni in Corte

Baptistery San Giovanni in Court

Located opposite to the cathedral is the Baptistery, designed by Giovanni Pisano, from the mid-14th century. It is considered to be among the finest examples of Tuscan Gothic architecture because it combines Florentine elements, Pisa and Siena. It is a building with an octagonal plan, surmounted on a picturesque dome, with white and green marble decorations. Inside is a baptismal font dating back to 1226, made by Lanfranco da Como.

Church of San Giovanni Fuorcivitas

Chiesa san Giovanni FuorcivitasArea: Plains of Ombrone river
Type: Romanesque church (12th century)
Address: Via Francesco Crispi, 2
Phone: +39 0573 24784

Built in the 12th century, it contains beautiful sculptures, like the pulpit of Fra‘ Guglielmo da Pisa (1270) and the famous Visitation by Luca della Robbia, made of glazed terracotta in 1445. Also note-worthy is the stoup by John Pisano.

Church of San Pier Maggiore

CHiesa si San Pier MaggioreArea: Plains of Ombrone river
Type: Romanesque church (13th century)
Address: Piazzetta S. Pietro
Phone: +39 0573 3711

The Church was built in Lombard times. It is known to have held an unusual ceremony: at the end of a long procession, the bishop of the city came to this church and exchanged his own ring with that of the abbess, in a sort of mystical marriage. Kristian Zahrtmann named one of his paintings “The Mystical Marriage of Pistoia” in representation of this unusual ceremony.

Salva

Pieve di Sant'Andrea

Area: Plains of Ombrone River
Type: Romanesque Church (12th century)
Address: Via S. Andrea, 21
Phone Number.: +39 0573 21912
Website: www.santandreapostolo-pistoia.it
Opening hours: 10:30 am – 4:30 pm

The church dates back to the 8th century, but the current dimensions are the result of a renovation, which took place in the 12th century. The façade’s decoration of two-tones marble facing, typical of the Pistoian Romanesque style, dates back to the 12th century and was completed by Gruamonte with the help of brother Adeodato. Particularly, in the portal’s architrave, the Journey of the Three Magic Kings is depicted, a rather odd iconography. Inside is Saint Andrea’s pulpit, by Giovanni Pisano.

Church of Santissima Annunziata

chiesa-santissima-annunziataArea: Plains of Ombrone river
Type: Baroque church (17th century)
Address: Piazza dei Servi, 4
Phone: +39 0573 22020
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Built in the mid-13th century, it was radically restructured in the 17th and 18th centuries. Inside, many paintings, frescoes and paintings from various periods have been preserved, including a Nativity painting of Lodovico Cardi, named Cigoli. The church is attached to other structures, such as a cloister of the 14th century, a chapel and a convent that dates to the 16th century. In the cloister there are 26 lunettes painted in the 17th century depicting cardinals and bishops belonging to the Servants of Mary. The frescoes are all of historical importance, because they reproduce scenes, characters and costumes of that time.

Basilica of Madonna dell'Umiltà

Area: Plains of Ombrone river
Type: Renaissance church (16th century)
Address: Via V. Vitoni, 2
Phone: +39 0573 22045
Opening hours: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

The most important element of the church is the dome, painted by Giorgio Vasari in the 16th century. Inside there was a fresco depicting the Madonna of Humility. In 1490, during the conflicts between the Panciatichi and Cancellieri families, some people saw three thin streams ooze from the image of a “prodigious liquor” sign that the Virgin was suffering due to so much fratricide. The bishop and the mayor of that time then confirmed the miracle. The most important families of Pistoia decided to build a veritable shrine to honor the Virgin Mary. Popular devotion to the miraculous image spread quickly. This is why the complex is popularly known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Humility.

The interior of the basilica is rich in works of art by Florentine painters of the 16th century. Among the “treasures of the Madonna” stands the silver ciborium, a Florentine goldsmith work of Giovan Battista Mariani. As a testimony of popular devotion, there is a rich collection of offerings to remember many miraculous interventions.

Monuments and places to visit in Pistoia

fregio_robbiano ospedale del ceppoCeramic Robbiano of Ospedale del Ceppo

Pretorium Palace

palazzo pretorio1Area: Plains of Ombrone river
Type: 
historic palace (14th-18th century)
Address: 
Piazza Duomo
Phone:
+39 0573 371362
Timetable: visit by appointment
Free entry

Also known as the Court House, it was built in the 14th century in Gothic style. It is famous for its courtyard adorned by stone coats of arms of successive magistrates. Parts of the original building are the entrance portal, the Gothic windows of the first floor, and in the arcaded courtyard, the entrance stairway to the upper floor.

Fabroni Palace

Area: Plains of Ombrone river
Type: Museum of Contemporary Art
Address: Via Sant’Andrea, 18
Phone: +39 0573 371817
Site: www.comune.pistoia.it/musei
Email: fabroni.artivisive@comune.pistoia.it
Opening hours: Thursday through Sunday and holidays 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Tickets: € 35 – Concessions: € 2 Reduced
Disabled access: Yes

In the building are collections of artists who have walked the streets of abstraction and informal art. The works reflect the artistic experience and research through the movements of the second half of the 20th century, from Arte Povera to Conceptual and Minimal Art. Of particular importance are, among others, the works of Agenor Fabbri, Gualtiero Native, Mario Nigro, Fernando Melani, Castellani, Kounellis, Pirri Spoerri. The palace is also home to permanent and contemporary art exhibitions.

Bishops Palace

pistoia-palazzo-dei-vescovi1Area: Plains of Ombrone river
Type: historical building (12th century) and museum of sacred art
Address: Piazza Duomo, 3
Phone: +39 0573 369272 +39 0573 369275
Email: cristinatuci@caript.it
Opening hours: guided tours 10:15 am, 11:45 am, 1:15 pm, 2:45 pm, 4:30 pm; Mondays closed
Tickets: € 4.00 full ticket – € 2.00 reduced

It was built as a fortified building in the 11th century. Its current appearance dates back to the 12th century, when it was transformed into a palace. It was the bishops’ residency for 8 centuries. The dungeons were turned into an archaeological tour and show the Etruscan fiesolano style, a Roman furnace and parts of the walls by the ancient Pistoriae. It is a rare example of the stratigraphic excavation of an archaeological museum, which allows the vision of the city from Roman to Modern times.

The palace also houses the Cathedral Museum or the Museum of the Cathedral of St. Zeno, which exhibits works of great value. For ex ample, the Reliquary of St. James, built in 1407 by Lorenzo Ghiberti. Among other valuable works the Cross of Sant’Atto stands out, executed around 1280, the Goblet of Sant’Atto and the Casula Sant’Atto. On the first floor the cycle works in tempera by the painter Giovanni Boldini (1842-1931) that was originally performed on the walls in the villa “La Falconiera” is exposed.

Villa Celle museum of contemporary art

BEN276617Area: Plains of the Ombrone river
Locality:  Santomato
Type: open-air museum of contemporary art
Opening hours: Visit by appointment from May to September
Free entry

Dating back to the 15th century, the villa was restored in the 19th century by transforming the garden into a romantic park designed by architect Giovanni Gambini. The Brana torrent, which ran through the property, was used for the construction of a lake complete with a small island where a small temple was built in neoclassical style. In the 60s of last century, entrepreneur Giuliano Gori began collecting the words of contemporary artists.

1982 sees the opening of the first nine outdoor installations (Aycock, Karavan, Morris, Oppenheim, Poirier, Ruckriem, Serra, Staccioli, Trakas), as well as six other artworks used, enrich the inside collection. Currently, there are 34 sculptures in the park, in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature.

villa celle1

Some of the artists are R. Barni, A. Burri, E. Castellani, S. Cox, R. Long, B. Pepper, Anne and Patrick Poirier, J. M. Folon, D. Spoerri, M. Abramovici. The land surrounding the villa is also a natural reserve and there are many types of trees present.

Salva

Ceppo Hospital

ospedale del cepoArea: Plains of the Ombrone river
Type: historic building (13th– 15th century)
Address: Piazza Giovanni XXIII, 1
Phone: +39 0573 3521 – +39 0573 3711
Opening Hours: Visit by appointment
Free admission

The building was built in the 13th century as a health care facility. It later became the Hospital del Ceppo and a priority area for medical care during the outbreak of the Black Death in 1348. During this period of time, many of the inhabitants left their estates to the hospital where they were admitted. At the end of the epidemic the hospital had become the owner of a vast heritage.

Between 1451 and 1456 the directors initiated a rationalization and reorganization of the various buildings. The work was entrusted to Florentine architect Michelozzo di Bartolomeo, who gave the complex a monumental aspect. The present complex derives from a series of additions and alterations. In the 15th century the wing with the current façade was added, embellished by a Renaissance loggia with arches. The lodge is decorated with a frieze in polychrome glazed terracotta, works by Della Robbia in the beginning of the 15th century, to the seven works of mercy.

In 1666, the Medical School of Pistoia was founded in the building. The school was equipped with an “anatomical theater”, built in neoclassical style in the late 18th century, with two adjoining rooms for anatomy lessons. Inside the building is the Museum of Surgical Instruments, a remarkable collection of medical instruments used in the hospital and ancient medical texts. The old pharmaceutical laboratory preserves jars and furnishings used for the preparation of drugs and conservation of medicinal herbs.

Salva

Brazilian Military Cemetery of Pistoia

Area: Plains of Ombrone river
Type: Military Cemetery
Address: Via San Rocco
Phone: +39 0573 452754
Email: monumnetobrasilianopistoia@yahoo.it
Opening hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 3.00 pm – 4:00 pm – Saturday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

A military memorial erected in honor of Brazilian soldiers who died for the liberation of Italy during World War II. Over the spot where 462 soldiers and Brazilian officials were buried, a votive monument was erected, designed by architect Olavo Redig de Campos, of the school of the Brazilian’s architect Oscar Niemeyer.

Parks and Gardens of Pistoia

pistoia1Zoo

Pistoia Zoo

zoo pistoia1Area: Plains of Ombrone river
Type: Zoo
Address: Via Pieve a Celle New, 160
Phone: +39 0573 911219
Opening hours: Monday through Friday 9:30 am to 6:00 pm – Saturday, Sunday and holidays 9:30 am to 7:00 pm
Tickets: € 14.50 full ticket – 13,50 / 10,50 reduced

Built in 1970, it is home to about 400 animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. Inside the zoo is an “interactive lab” that allows visitors of all ages to learn about the aspects of the animal world through direct experience. The park guides offer moments of interaction with animal materials: skins, tusks, colored eggs and feathers, in order to understand what the problems are that animals face in the wild.

How to get there:

Bus – from Pistoia railway station bus no. 59. Travel time about 15 minutes.

Bus schedules: phone Blubus 800277825

Taxi – from Pistoia Train Station taxi service. Fees: www.taxi amicopistoia.it – phone +39 0573 509530 . Customers of Taxi amico have a 10% discount on admission to the zoo showing the receipt of payment.

ART AND MUSEUMS

Museums in Pistoia

museo sotterraneoArchaeological Palace of Bishops Route

Tactile Museum

museo tattileArea: Plains of Ombrone river
Type: sensory museum intended for the blind
Address: Piazza Duomo, 3
Phone: +39 0573 369272
Opening hours: Tuesday – Thursday – Friday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Tickets: € 4.00 full ticket – € 2.00 reduced
Accessibility: yes

On the ground floor of the Bishop’s Palace, the Tactile Museum was founded; a permanent exhibition conceived and designed to give the blind and visually impaired the chance to get to know the city. Among some of its innovative exhibits is a tactile map of the historic center of Pistoia and collapsible models that reproduce, in scale, some monumental buildings of the city like the Municipal Palace, the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Basilica of Our Lady of Humility. These models are equipped with a series of explanatory panels in Braille and samples of materials that characterize the architecture as marble, stone, strong stone and terracotta.

Museum of the Cathedral of San Zeno and the underground archaeological tour

museo capitolareArea: Plains of Ombrone river
Type: historical building (12th century) and museum of sacred art
Address: Piazza Duomo, 3 – Palazzo dei Vescovi
Phone: +39 0573 369272   /  +39 0573 369275
Email: cristinatuci@caript.it
Opening hours: daily guided tours 10.15 am – 11:45 am to 1:15 pm – 2:45 pm to 4:30 pm; Monday and Wednesday closed
Tickets: € 4.00 full ticket – € 2.00 reduced

The palace also houses the Cathedral Museum or the Museum of the Cathedral of St. Zeno, which exhibits works of great value. For example, the Reliquary of St. James, built in 1407 by Lorenzo Ghiberti. Among other valuable works the Cross of Sant’Atto stands out, executed around 1280, the Goblet of Sant’Atto and the Casula Sant’Atto. On the first floor the cycle works in tempera by the painter Giovanni Boldini (1842-1931) that was originally performed on the walls in the villa “La Falconiera” is exposed.

The basement was turned into an archaeological tour, which shows the Etruscan fiesolano style, a Roman furnace and parts of the walls by the ancient Pistoriae. It is a rare example of the stratigraphic excavation of an archaeological museum, which allows the vision of the city from Roman to Modern times.

Civic Museum and Documentation "Giovanni Michelucci Centre"

Area: Plains of Ombrone river
Type: Art museum
Address: Piazza Duomo, 1
Phone: +39 0573 371296
Site: www.comune.pistoia.it/museocivico
Email: museocivico@comune.pistoia.it
Opening hours: Thursday through Sunday and holidays 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Tickets: € 3.50 full ticket – € 2.00 reduced
Disabled access: Yes

The “Giovanni Michelucci” Civic Museum and Documentation Centre is located inside the Town Hall. The building, dating back to the 12th century, reached its present appearance until 1350. It is adorned with fine 16th century frescoes. Documents are kept in the museum along works that document the entire artistic history of the city. The exhibited art is essentially made up of Florence and Pistoia’s paintings, dating between the 17th and 18th century. The “Puccini Collection”, which includes art from the 14th to the 19th century, is also part of the collection.

Embroidery Museum and Diocesan Museum

museo del ricamoArea: Plains of Ombrone river
Type: craft museum
Address: Palazzo Rospigliosi – Via Ripa del Sale, 3
Phone: +39 0573 28740
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

The imposing Palazzo Rospigliosi houses the Embroidery Museum. It exposes embroideries, made by the 17th to the 20th century, including its tools, and illustrates the processing techniques of the traditional embroidery art of Pistoia. This activity was developed in the 17th century, and was handed down by the nuns to the girls in all-girl schools, and to proper school-workshops. The embroidered fabrics were destined to be used to make underwear for the wealthiest families and nobles, as a sign of prestige and wealth. Also located in the palace is the Diocesan Museum that, in addition to its ecclesiastical use furnishings, exhibits christening garments and dresses.

Marino Marini Museum

museo Marino MariniArea: Plains of Ombrone river
Type: Museum of Modern Art
Address: Corso S. Fedi, 30
Phone: +39 0573 30285
Site: www.fondazionemarinomarini.it
Email: fmarini@dada.it
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Holds the most significant artwork of sculptor Marino Marini, a native of Pistoia.

Ecomuseum of the Pistoiese Mountains – Ice Itinerary

ghiacciaiaArea: Pistoiese Mountain
Locality: Le Piastre
Type: eco-museum of the ice – blue route

Ecomuseum of the Pistoiese Mountains consists of five thematic itineraries and as many museum points. The purpose is to provide a geo-morphological and cultural vision, from proto-industrial activities to those of everyday life, in the territory of the Pistoiese Mountains. Its main aim is to understand how the relationship between man and environment has developed over the centuries, hence the use of the term “eco-museum”. The five routes are graphically identified by a color and connected to a display-teaching structure.

The blue route corresponds to the city of Pistoia and is called the Ice Itinerary. It documents the production of natural ice in the upper Rhine Valley, developing proto-industrial levels in the mid-18th century and the first decades of the 20th. At that time they produced thousands of tons of ice by using the water of the river, the low winter temperatures and an ingenious system of canals and artificial lakes.

An example of this production complex is the Ghiacciaia della Madonnina (Icebox of the Madonnina) (locality Le Piastre). The prepared pedestrian path starts from the car park of Le Piastre, along the banks of the river, up to the Ghiacciaia della Madonnina, where it is visible through the production sector, which has been restored and is running once more.

WHAT TO DO

Events

giostra dell'orsoGiostra dell’Orso

Giostra dell’Orso and San Jacopo Fest

giostra dell'orso1When: July 25

This is one of the most important events during the celebrations in honor of St. James. Three days before the award, the ceremony of investiture of the statue of the saint takes place. On July 2 the equestrian tournament is held and Pistoia is transformed into a medieval town. During the morning, along the downtown streets, is a processional parade of figures that wear period costumes. Following is the liturgical ceremony in the cathedral where, for the occasion, the relic of the saint is exposed. During the Giostra dell’Orso the four city districts compete in a contest of skill in the picturesque Piazza del Duomo. The winner has to reach the bear puppet and bring it down.

Pistoia Blues

pistoia_bluesType: Music
When:
second week of July

The International festival of blues music is considered among the five most important in Europe. Several famous artists have honored the city with their presence, including: Frank Zappa, B.B. King, Deep Purple, Bob Dylan, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Lee Hooker, Carlos Santana, Steve Vai, Ray Charles, Patti Smith, Joe Cocker, Robert Plant, David Bowie and many others.

Pistoia Festival

pt_festivalType: art and music
When: 
July to September

Every summer, the main squares and the Emperor’s Castle are the venue for concerts, theater performances, and outdoor cinema.

San Bartolomeo Fest

Type: religious festival
When:  August 24

This traditional celebration dates back to the 15th century when the custom was introduced to anoint the forehead of children, on the day of the patron saint of children, to protect them from the snares of evil spirits. Even today in the churches dedicated to San Bartolomeo liturgical celebrations and blessings are held all day: children and adults become “anointed” by the priests that mark their foreheads with blessed oil, pronouncing time an ancient prayer at the same to invoke the protection of the saint. A typical food dish of this festival is a rosary-shaped wreath made with shortbread biscuits and decorated with chocolates and sweets.

 

 

Pistoia-Abetone marathon

Type: sports
When: June

Ultramarathon of 50 km from Pistoia to Abetone.

www.pistoria-abetone.net

CULTURA

History of Pistoia

pistoia5Piazza del Duomo

From the Romans to the present day

zan zeno

Of Roman origin, probably built on top of a previous Etruscan settlement it became an oppidum during the 2nd century B.C., a logistics base for military operations. The residential complex was renamed Pistoriae. In the 5th century A.D. it was largely destroyed during the passage of the Ostrogoths. A couple of centuries later, under the Lombard domination, Pistoia was elevated to the rank of city and, had a significant demographic and economic development thanks to its geographical position.

In the 11th century it became part of the Roman-Germanic Holy Empire. An important Ghibelline stronghold in the Middle Ages, Pistoia was a long an ally of Pisa and Siena, to counter the expansion of Florence. The geographical position on the crossroads of major trade routes did arouse, from the 12th century, a very active merchant class and Pistoia became famous for its banking and financial activities.

However, after a siege of eleven months in 1306 Pistoia surrendered to its traditional enemies, Florence and Lucca, thus losing its autonomy and heading for a social and economic crisis. With the establishment of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, a great season of renewal and redevelopment ushered. Pistoia returned as well to being an important political and cultural node, with the birth of clubs and academies.

palazzo

The Habsburg-Lorraine family, who succeeded the Medici to the Grand Duchy guide, were architects of major reforms. Together with the whole of Tuscany, the city was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. In Pistoia famous and influential people were born such as the jurist Cino from Pistoia, a friend of Dante Alighieri, Pope Clement IX (1667), the poet and writer Joshua Carducci, painters Agenore Fabri and Marino Marini, the sculptors Alfredo Fabbri and Giacinto Gimignani, and the musician Maurizio Geri.

Salva

Curiosity

The patron saint

The patron saint is St. James. The origins of the veneration for the Apostle are remote. It is said that, in the year 849, fearing that the city was to be invaded by the Saracens, Pistoia invoked the protection of St. James. Pistoia was not attacked and, in gratitude for the favors received, its citizens elected St. James as their patron saint and built a small church within the first circle of walls: San Jacopo in Castellare. In later centuries, the acting Bishop (of Spanish origin) asked the Bishop of Compostela (city of Galicia) for a small part of the relic of the saint’s body.

The latter agreed and a bone fragment was transported to Pistoia with great honor and placed in a specially built chapel in 1145. So it was that the church, with an altar dedicated to St. James, quickly became a destination for unexpected pilgrimages. For many devotees, willing to make a pilgrimage to Compostela, Pistoia often became the place of departure. In the chapel, in fact, they came to ask for protection for the long journey.

Strange place names

In the oldest part of the city of Pistoia some streets and alleys have extravagant names: Via Abbi Pazienza (be patient), Alley Malconsiglio (bad advice), Vicolo Buio (Dark Alley), Vicolo Brontola (Gumble Alley, Vicolo dei Fuggiti (Alley of the fuggitives).

Anointing the forehead of children

Augustinian monks (“Rocchettini”) have the custom, the day of the saint, of anointing children on the forehead to protect them from the snares of evil spirits. Recently, popular devotion has added anointing against diseases, in particular against throat illness, which is still practiced. On the day of the feast they prepare a special sweet shaped necklace, called “crowns”, made with shortbread and grains with a large medallion in the center. It is one of the most popular festivals in the city.

Italian Championship of Lies

Italian Championship of Lies takes place in Pistoia in August.
www.labugia.it

GASTRONOMY

Typical Food

Appetizers

Arista sott’olio

Crostini di frattaglie di pollo o crostini neri

Crostini di cavolo nero

First dishes

Zuppa di pane alla pistoiese

Zuppa di pane della montagna pistoiese

Carcerato

Farinata con le leghe

Maccheroni all’anatra

Main dishes

Zimino di lampredotto

Rigaglia

Lesso rifatto

Fegatelli di maiale nella rete

Side Dishes

Fagioli di Sorana al fiasco

Fagiolini serpenti in umido

Funghi trifolati

Desserts

Berlingozzo

Cenci (tipici del periodo di Carnevale)

Confetti di Pistoia (a forma di riccio)

Brigidini

Typical Products

vivaioVivarium

Plants and flowers

fioriPlants and flowers

Plant cultivation is the most important economic activity of the city and boasts a tradition that dates back to 1859. Currently, in Pistoia, there are about 2,000 companies that cultivate outdoor plants for public parks to private gardens, landscaping and other ornamental purposes. This lively production complex accounts for about 25% of the total production of ornamental plants in Italy.

TOURIST SERVICES

Where to sleep in Pistoia

Hotel

Hotel Patria****

Via Francesco Crispi, 68 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 358800
www.patriahotel.com
info@patriahotel.com
Servizi: ubicato nel centro storico di Pistoia offre camere con elegante arredamento, wi-fi, TV LCD, aria condizionata, minibar, sale per congressi, parcheggio, giardino, piscina scoperta e coperta, idromassaggio, sauna e centro benessere, terme, trekking

Hotel Villa Giorgia ***

Via Bolognese, 164 – 51100 Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 480022/ +39 0573 48422
www.villagiorgia.it
info@villa-giorgia.it
Servizi: albergo in collina a 3 km da Pistoia con 18 camere doppie,  wi-fi, tv LCD, minibar, cassaforte, ristorante panoramico, salotti con vista, bar , piscina esterna (solo in estate), giardino, parcheggio

Park Hotel Arcobaleno

Via Valdi e San Mommè, 37 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 470030/ +39 338 9459847
www.ecolabelarcobaleno.eu
parkhotelarcobaleno@gmail.com

Hotel Bellavista

Via Modenese, 606 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 472024
mariella.gigli@tele2.it

Hotel Firenze

Via Curtatone e Montanara, 42 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 23141
info@hotel-firenze.it

Hotel Guidi

Via Collina, 47 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 470022
www.albergoguidi.it
postmaster@albergoguidi.com

Hotel Villa Cappugi

Via di Collegigliato, 45 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 450297
www.hotelvillacappugi.com
info@hotelvillacappugi.com

Hotel Il Boschetto

Viale Adua, 467 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 401336/ +39 320 0829167
www.albergoilboschetto.it
info@albergoilboschetto.it

Hotel Il Convento

Via S. Quirico, 33 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 452651
www.ilconventohotel.com
info@ilconventohotel.com

Hotel La Selva

Via Casa Sandrella, 19 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 490094
www.laselvaorsigna.it
laselvaorsigna@alice.it

Hotel Le Rose

Viale Adua 87/89 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 057320785/6
www.lerose.it
hotel@lerose.it

Hotel Leon Bianco

Via Panciatichi, 2 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 26675
www.hotelleonbianco.it
info@hotelleonbianco.it

Hotel Melini

Via Nazionale, 78 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 490026
www.albergomelini.com
info@albergomelini.com

Hotel Milano Hotel

Viale Pacinotti, 10/12 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 975700
www.hotelmilano.it
info@hotelmilano.it

Hotel Piccolo Ritz

Via Atto Vannucci, 67 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573977474
www.hotelpiccoloritz.com
info@hotelpiccoloritz.com

Hotel Villa Angelica

Via Setteponti, 8 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 490032
economato@suorestabilite.com

Farmhouse

Agriturismo Abbaino

Via Saturnana, 50 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 1780479
www.agriturismoabbaino.it
info@agriturismoabbaino.it

Agriturismo all’Ombra del Tiglio

Via Pieve a Celle, 61 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 320 0620708
www.allombradeltiglio.it
info@allombradeltiglio.it

Agriturismo Azienda Agricola Fratelli Lombardi

Via Capanne di Valdibrana, 17 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 48703
www.agriturismolombardi.it
info@agriturismolombardi.it

Agriturismo Baldi Franco

Via Calvana e Bollacchione, 2 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 528355
www.agriturismobaldi.com
info@agriturismobaldi.com

Agriturismo Barbicaio

Via Saturnana, 50 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 471140
www.agriturismo.com
info@agriturismo.com

Agriturismo Basalino

Via Valdibrana, 289 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 48707
www.basalino.it
agribasalino@virgilio.it

Agriturismo Bramasole

Via della Chiesa d’Uzzo, 32 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 475023
eurogoku@inwind.it

Agriturismo Fattoria di Paterno

Via di Paterno, 3 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 333 51100
www.fattoriapaterno.com
info@fattoriapaterno.com

Agriturismo Il Melograno

Via di Collina, 16 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 975313
www.agriturismoilmelograno.it
info@agriturismoilmelograno.it

Agriturismo Il Poderino

Via Sciabolino, 144 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 477112
stefaniandreini@yahoo.it

Agriturismo Il Romito

Via di Luparello, 26 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 46246
www.agriturismoromito.it
romito_magio@libero.it

Agriturismo Il Vivaio

Via Capanne Vecchie, 45 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 380254
www.agriturismoilvivaio.com
info@agriturismoilvivaio.com

Agriturismo La Corte

Via delle Corti, 24 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 43307
www.agriturismolacorte.com
info@agriturismolacorte.com

Agriturismo La Torricella

Via Montalese, 60/A – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 479421
www.agriturismolatorricella.it
info@agriturismolatorricella.it

Agriturismo Matteini Tranquillo

Via Fonda di S. Agostino, 11 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 934725
tiziano.nesi@alice.it

Agriturismo Mulino del Gabbione

Via del Mulino 3/5 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 46724
info@mulinodelgabbione.com

Agriturismo Podere Agrituristico Casale dell’Orso

Via Nuova di Pieve a Celle, 1 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 572359
www.casaledellorso.it
info@casaledellorso.it

Agriturismo Podere Campofossato

Via di Calabbiana, 2/A – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 416780
www.campofossato.it
info@campofossato.it

Agriturismo Podere delle Fanciulle

Via di Burgianico, 3 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 329 3553413
www.poderedellefanciulle.it
info@poderedellefanciulle.it

Agriturismo Podere Palazzina

Via Guglianese, 9 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 477062/ +39 349 2549534
web.tiscali.it/poderepalazzina
poderepalazzina@yahoo.it

Agriturismo San Michele a Pulica

Via di Pulica, 1 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 452222
agrisanmichele@tiscali.it

Agriturismo San Rocco

Via delle Sei Arcole, 28 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 335 5348057
sanroccoagriturismo.it
info@sanroccoagriturismo.it

Agriturismo Tenuta di Groppoli

Via di Groppoli, 8 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 570054
graphicsarts@hotmail.it

Agriturismo Tenuta di Pieve a Celle

Via Pieve a Celle, 158 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 913087
www.tenutadipieveacelle.it
info@tenutadipieveacelle.it

Agriturismo Villa Pacinotti

Via di Caloria e Valdibure, 10 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 3475 840382/ +39 3475840382
www.villapacinotti.it
info@villapacinotti.it

Residence

Residence Artemura

Via Pietro Bozzi,8 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 366698 / +39 0573 26900
www.artemuraresidence.com
info@artemuraresidence.com
Servizi: ubicato nel centro storico di Pisotia all’interno del Palazzo Fancelli, il residence Artemura è ideale per soggiorni romantici. Camere con wi-fi, aria condizionata, frigobar, TVsatellitari. Offre ambienti eleganti per matrinomi e riunioni d’affari, sale per congressi, feste e cocktail party, giardino, animali domestici accettati.

Casa vacanze Alice del Lago

Via Vergine dei Mei, 4/B – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 986534 333 7274482
www.alicedellago.com
info@alicedellago.com

Casa vacanze Borgo Isora

Via Piastre e Prunetta, 17 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 472245/ +39 335 1239689
www.borgoisora.com
info@borgoisora.com

Casa vacanze Fattoria di Casalbosco

Via Montalese, 117 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 479599
www.fattoria-casalbosco.it
borgoantico@fattoria-casalbosco.com

Casa vacanze Il Fienile della Farnia

Via Gora e Barbatole, 323 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 328 5727201
www.ilfieniledellafarnia.it
info@ilfieniledellafarnia.it

Casa vacanze Torrevecchia

Via di San Giorgio, 1723 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 903233/ +39 335 7806453
www.torrevecchia.net
residencetorrevecchia@msn.com

Casa vacanze Villa Le Panche

Via Modenese, 756 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 26716 349 6782147
www.villalepanche.com
gmgholidays@gmail.com

Casa vacanze Villa Morelli Gualtierotti

Via Modenese, 755 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 26716/ +39 349 6782147
www.villamorelli-tuscany.com
gmgholidays@gmail.com

Residence Il Castagno

Via del Castagno, 35 – località Piteccio – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 366509
info@relaisilcastagno.it

Residence Miranda

Via Pacinotti, 16 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 335 6918697
www.residencemiranda.it
info@residencemiranda.it

Residence Torre di Catilina

Via della Forra Sanguinaria, 81 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 335 6918697
info@torredicatilina.it

Historic houses

Residenza d’Epoca Palazzo Puccini

Via della Torre,13 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 1745133 / +39 338 9459847
www.puccini.it
palazzopuccini@gmail.com
Servizi: 40 camere, 2 camere per diversamente abili, frigobar, cassaforti, giardino, sala convegni, wi-fi, catering, parcheggio, ristorante. Nella dimore storica ubicata nel centro di Pistoia, è nato il filantropo Niccolò Puccini.

Residenza d’Epoca Antica Residenza Gatteschi

Via Can Bianco, 7 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 367899/ +39 340 0036025
www.residenza.gatteschi.it
residenza@gatteschi.it

Residenza d’Epoca Villa San Simone

Via di Santomoro, 100 – Pistoia (PT)
Tel. +39 0573 964586
www.villasansimone.it
info@villasansimone.it

Wedding and  Congress

Matrimony and catering

Residence Artemura

Via Pietro Bozzi,8 – Pistoia (PT)
Phone:  +39 0573 366698 / +39 0573 26900
www.artemuraresidence.com
info@artemuraresidence.com
Services: located in the historic center of Pistoia inside Palazzo Fancelli, the Artemura Residence is ideal for romantic getaways. Rooms include wi-fi, air conditioning, minibar, and satellite TV. It provides an elegant setting for marriages and business meetings, offers rooms for conferences, parties or cocktail parties, garden, pets allowed.

Congress, parties, meeting

Palazzo Puccini historic house

Via della Torre,13 – Pistoia (PT)
Phone:  +39 0573 1745133 / +39 338 9459847
www.puccini.it
palazzopuccini@gmail.com
Services: 40 rooms, 2 rooms for the disabled, minibar, safe, garden, conference room, wi-fi, catering, parking, restaurant. In the historic houses located in the center of Pistoia, philanthropist Niccolo Puccini was born.