Things to Do and See in Pistoia

The city of Pistoia, the capital of the province of the same name, is rich in monuments. Starting with its historic center, the city’s past is evident at every turn: churches, cloisters, palaces, and artistic treasures are scattered throughout medieval alleyways and irregularly shaped squares, revealing a surprising city with understated charm. Piazza del Duomo, which for centuries has been the center of both civil and ecclesiastical power, features buildings of considerable artistic importance, such as the Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Zeno, with its Romanesque façade. Adjacent to the Cathedral stand the Romanesque bell tower and the 14th-century Gothic Baptistery, decorated with white-and-green marble from Prato. The square is completed by the former church of Santa Maria Cavaliera and the medieval Catilina Tower. Near the square lies the historic area of the “Ospedale del Ceppo,” featuring the Museum of Surgical Instruments, the anatomy room, and the famous Robbiano frieze depicting the Seven Works of Mercy. Elsewhere in the province, we recommend Pescia, a small town of medieval origin where you can admire the Porta Fiorentina along with the Cathedral—rebuilt in the late 17th century—and the Church of San Giuliano. Near the Cathedral are the Seminary Cloister and the Church of the Oratory of St. Anthony the Abbot. Also worth visiting are the Civic Museum and the Libero Andreotti Plaster Cast Gallery. For those seeking total relaxation and preferring spa environments, a visit to the resorts of Montecatini Terme and Monsummano Terme is highly recommended.