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Pistoia is a city in the Tuscany, Italy, the capital of a province of the same name, located about 30 km from Florence, at the foot of Appennino Mountains, 65 meters above sea level.

The surface of the municipal area is 236, 77 sq. km. The Pistoia has 88.500 inhabitants. Pistoia is famous for its flower and plant nurseries. It's name would seem to come from "pistoria" - oven, recalling the role the city played in supplying food to the Roman troops.

Located on the road to the Apennine passes, it had its moments of radiance and decline before being conquered by the Medici. It is not as well known by tourists as the other cities in Tuscany even though it need not envy them as it boasts an historic city centre of great harmony and richness. The origin of the Pistoia is linked to the expansion of the Roman state, although one cannot exclude the possibility of previous settlements by other peoples such as the Etruscans, whose presence here is suggested by some archaeological founds.

From the 5th century the city was a bishopric, and during the Lombardic kingdom it was a royal city and had several privileges.

During the 8th century the important religious institutions that had been built outside the city wall marked the direction of new urban development while in the next century the city's political life was organized around the bishop's court. Pistoia's most splendid age began in 1177 when the city passed its first statute, as a free commune, one of the oldest in Italy. In the following years it became an important political centre, erecting several public and religious buildings.

During the 11th and 12th centuries, Pistoia distinguished itself for its strong economic growth; as a consequence the city carne to control a large territory that exceeded what is today the province of Pistoia. In this period, perhaps its most glorious one, the city took on the Romanesque appearance that is still today its main characteristic and a new city wall was built.

The 13th century was a moment of serious political crisis and Pistoia found itself caught between the two opposing powers of Florence and Lucca. There were many battles with these two cities; in the early 14th century the alliance of the two resulted in one of the most painful pages in the city's history - the siege of 1306. In 1401 Pistoia lost its independence forever and became an integral part of the Florentine dominions. For the whole Medici era Pistoia did not make its own history although it was a key player in several noteworthy episodes.

In the following years, the city prospered, as can be seen in the many noble buildings that even today enhance the streets.

At the end of the 19th century Pistoia was occupied by French troops led by the Napoleon. The next year all of Tuscany was under French control. During Napoleonic rule Pistoia was included in the Area of the Arno and became a municipality governed by a French maire.

In 1851 the Maria Antonia railway arrived in Pistoia from Florence and in 1864, after the Unification of Italy, the railway was completed.

Between the 19th and 20th centuries Pistoia began to take on a more modern appearance as it underwent the process of industrialization.

With the abolition of the city toll gates in 1909, the city walls lost all their significance and they were partially torn down. Later, whole medieval sections would be demolished as a large part of the city changed its appearance. Today, Pistoia is an important center for commerce and industry, linked to the Florentine metropolitan area and characterized by, among other things, a particular vocation for tree and plant producing nurseries.

Pistoia always had a bad reputation; Dante mentioned Pistoia as the home town of Vanni Fucci, who is encountered in Inferno tangled up in a knot of snakes while cursing God and Michelangelo called the Pistoiese the "enemies of heaven".

Although it's not as visited as other towns in Tuscany, and the industrial environs discourage, Pistoia presents a well-preserved and charming medieval city inside the old walls.

Places to Visit

Piazza del Duomo

Cathedral Square - is the centre of both religious and lay power; the Duomo, Battistero, Palazzo Pretorio, Palazzo Vescoville and Palazzo Comunale all face on to it.

Cattedrale di San Zeno

Cattedrale di San Zeno and its bulky campanile, which was originally built in the 12th century as a defensive watchtower in the city walls. The Romanesque facade of the two-toned Duomo is made up of three levels of loggias topped with a portico which has stupendous glazed terracotta decorations by Andrea della Robbia.

Inside, the chapel dedicated to San Jacobo, has an interesting silver altar decorated with over 600 statues and relief’s, designed by Florentine and Pistoian goldsmiths. The earliest of this date from 1287 and the altar was not completed until 1456.

The octagonal Baptistery

The octagonal Baptistery also two-toned in white and green marble, is the work of Andrea Pisano during 14th Century. The entrance door is embellished with capitals and surmounted by a Gothic rosette.

Museo di San Zeno

Museo di San Zeno is situated in Palazzo dei Vescovi or Bishop’s Palace. In the basement you can see the excavated remains of Roman buildings, and upstairs are some fine reliquaries made by Tuscan goldsmiths during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Museo Civico

Museo Civico in the Town Hall, exhibits here range from medieval altar paintings to the work of 20th-century Pistoian artist and sculptors.

Ospedale del Ceppo

Ospedale del Ceppo this hospital was founded in 1277, which was the most important and wealthiest medical centre in Pistoia. It has a beautifully designed, Florentine-style portico adorned in 1552 with medallions and a Della Robbia frieze running the length of the facade. This polychrome terracotta, illustrating various acts of charity and the cardinal and theological virtues, is one of the best examples of the work of della Robbia’s studio.

The Chiesa di Sant`Andrea

Church of St. Andrew, an example of Romanesque Pistoian architecture, contains one of Giovani Pisano`s masterpieces, completed in 1301, a pulpit with an incredibly dramatic carved bas-relief, even more accomplished than the pulpit he later made for Pisa cathedral.

Chiesa di San Giovani Fuorcivitas

12th-century Church of St.John "outside the city" - the church once stood beyond the city walls. The holly water stoup is an early work by Giovanni Pisano and the visitation in glazed terracotta is by Della Robbia.

San Bartolomeo in Pantano

San Bartolomeo in Pantano is the beautiful Romanesque church of San Bartolomeo in Pantano, dating from 760, houses another celebrated pulpit, carved in 1250 by Guido da Como.

Centro Marino Marini

Centro Marino Marini - the work of Marino Marini Pistoia`s most famous 20th-century artist, is housed in a museum dedicated to him in the Palazzo del Tau.

Pistoia Zoo

A small well-kept zoo situated 4 km from city centre at La Verginina.

For more information visit

Comune Pistoia