Where is Pistoia? More than 10 reasons to visit this hidden gem in Tuscany

Why should you visit Pistoia?

Not just because it is my birthplace , of course!

( or maybe…. just fot this?😂😜)

first of all for its location in Italy

in the second century BC it was chosen by the Romans as a stretegical basis between North & South : the actual Duomo square became in fact their “oppidum “or “market town ” where to stop & have a rest , eating & drinking to regaign strenght & then leaving to struggle towards new ennemies

Florence is just 30km from here,Lucca & Pisa and the seaside on the Tyrrhenian sea just 40/50 minutes driving

Pistoia is easly reacheable from the two Tuscan airports ( Firenze & Pisa) & very well connected by high speed train with all the main towns in Italy

for its beautiful mountains

Abetone is a very renowned village where to go to sky in winter time & having long walking & trekking looking for blackberries & wild fruits in summer time & for mushrooms

for its hills

only in five minutes driving from the city centre you can find hectars of olive groves and wineyards & beautiful landscapes & old forest full chestnuts trees & lovely villas

for its baths & spa

in Pistoia’s district , you can find one of the best spa of Europe, a natural grotto , where even Giuseppe Verdi enjoyed its benefical effects , a very big swimming pool with thermal water & a relaxing massages spa

for its Green

yes, as Pistoia has been called “the city of green” for all its greenhouses & nurseries plants exported all over the world – tall trees as well as the best varieties of roses – to beutify prestogious villas gardens & parks in Europe & overseas

for its prestigious past

it has been an Etruscan city first ( dated back 600- 500 B.C. ) & Roman oppidum ( 2nd Century B.C.) and was a free Commune declared with the oldest statute of Italy dated 1117!

An archeological museum just located in main square can show you ruins & old tools from that Age

for its architecture & art

many beautiful old churches ( of different styles from Romanesque period to Baroque ) & the third biggest dome of Italy after Rome & Florence …old palaces and small squares and the De la Robbia terracotta freize just restored, simply magnificent!

for its quiet , secure & relaxing atmosphere

Pistoia is very small , very cosy ….it will pamper you !

with a low level of crime my city will show you the real Italian lifestyle of a minor Tuscan location with its uncrowded old narrow streets, but with a great heritage to share & show you

for its old organs

in some of our Churches you can see & hear playing old organs as just Pistoia hosted a prestigious organs pipes’ producer starting from the 18th Century & still making cymbals & percussions for the most famous drummers & players in the world

for its hospitality

from chic four star hotels to characteristic b&b & famhouses there is a huge choice: wine & extra virgin olive oil tastings are available by local wine estates or becoming a real Tuscan chef just for a day with a cooking class

for its museums

Marino Marini’s foundation , the only embrodery museum of Europe, the Pope’s Clemente IX palace ( yes, we have had a Pope from Pistoia !) palazzo Fabroni , modern art museum ,the archeological & the city hall to mention just few(the underground guided path is really interesting too)

for its zoo

Pistoia can be called “kids friendy ” for this zoo just few minutes from the city center & immersed in the green hills open all year round , in the nearby the Collodi hamlet hosts Pinocchio’s theme park & the butterflies park along with an historical magnificent Villa Garzoni’s garden

for its markets & shopping

since the Middle Age the Duomo square hosted the open air market: at the present two time per week you can fine in the same location of many centuries before, nice clothes & shoes and in the nearby “La Sala” small square ,a coloured market that offers vegetables & fruits everyday with lots of stores with many delicatessen for foodies

furthermore very nice boutiques with all the most prestigious fashion brands are available in its central streets with a huge choice of top quality items 👢👠👛👓👜💍💄👗👚

for its libraries

the biggest library in Tuscany is the San Giorgio one, in a modern setting, just near the train station

an old one , the Forteguerriana with precious old books is hosted in a beautiful historical palace just in the heart of the city

for its movida !🍸💃🏽💃🏽🍷🎺🎸☕️

believe or not in this small town we have a GREAT movida especially in the week-end in the Sala square : it is so full of small cafès, bistrots, wine bars, trattorie,restaurants that hundreds of young ( and not only young ) people love to eat & walk here as in a movable feast as Hemingway wrote about Paris..Pistoia is not the capital of France ,of course , but I think you will enjoy the spirit you can breath in the air