Pistoia

Pistoia, capital city of the province of the same name in the Tuscany region, spreads over a flat area stretching from a bank of the Ombrone River to the massif of Mount Albano. The economy of Pistoia shows a growth in industry and in the production of fruits and vegetables, although the most typical local activity is the growing of ornamental flowers and plants of renowned prestige. The name of the city has remained unchanged since it was founded by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. After 400 years, the Lombard entered this land, and in time, in 1100, the German Empire took the place. In the following century, when it proclaimed itself independent as a comune (municipality), Pistoia went through a time of great splendour which lasted until the loss of autonomy after being defeated in many fights against Florence. In the XVI century, under the Medici dominion, it was ruled by the Lorena family before being officially annexed to the united Italy in 1859. Pistoia has many architectural and artistic attractions, and the most renowned are certainly the Cathedral of di San Zeno, famous for the magnificent Romanesque facade and the precious altar of Saint James, a silversmith masterwork, the Church of the Madonna dell’Umiltà (Our Lady of Humbleness), well-known by the spectacular octagonal dome by Vasari, and the Church of San Giovanni Fuorcivitas, where the female figures of the three theological Virtues sculpted by Pisano can be admired. The countless tourists and visitors who fill up Pistoia’s hotels, inns, restaurants and bars also appreciate the city prestigious circuit of museums, among which there are many worth mentioning such as the Town Museum and the Giovanni Michelucci Documentation Centre (with plans and maquettes of the great architect’s works), both at the Palazzo comunale (Town Hall), the Diocesan Museum and the Museo del Ricamo (Embroidery Museum), at the Palazzo Rospigliosi, and the “Marino Marini” Museum, located at the Palazzo Fabroni