Pistoia is a medieval memory that has come down to us. A beautiful painting that speaks of other times while remaining firmly rooted in modernity. A city that knows how to do tourism without sea and without mountains but with a load of art and history that makes it a small jewel, the pride of splendid Tuscany. Founded by the Romans, conquered and made important by the Lombards, Pistoia is one of the protagonists of the Italian Middle Ages.

What to see in Pistoia

A free city since 1105, it boasts the very first written laws collected in a single text in our country.

It lived its most glorious years during the struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines and then as an integral part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

Subsequently, the city was able to move forward, fully entering the modern era, always preserving that ancient heart that still today is its wonderful historic center.

The Duomo complex, or the whole of the church, bell tower and baptistery, are spectacular 13th-century architecture.

The Cathedral of San Zeno dates back to the 13th century although it was remodeled in the 14th century; it contains the silver altar of the patron saint San Jacopo, the ancient church kept in the crypt and even the remains of the foundations of a Roman villa.

The bell tower is a Lombard tower restored in the sixteenth century that has maintained the ancient Romanesque style.

The baptistery of San Giovanni in Corte (14th century) with its two-tone marble and elegant Gothic style houses a thirteenth-century baptismal font.

The Palazzo dei Vescovi, with its Gothic style underlined by the loggia, hides inside a rich archaeological itinerary that includes Etruscan remains and some parts of the Roman walls.

Palazzo Pretorio stands simple and severe next to the rich baptistery and represents the power it held over the city for years, as the seat of the court. Only the windows recall the Gothic that decorates the rest of the surrounding square.

The Palazzo del Comune (14th century) is rich both on the outside with the beautiful play of mullioned windows, and on the inside with the many frescoes.

The former church of Santa Maria Cavaliera (10th century) and a 30-meter high tower inside which, it is said, the Roman general Catilina was buried, is also “camouflaged” among the city palaces.

The churches of Pistoia, besides the cathedral, are many and all beautiful. They reflect that refined art of the Middle Ages that knew how to enhance lines and materials: San Giovanni Fuorcivitas, San Pier Maggiore, San Bartolomeo, Sant’Andrea are just some of many.

Gastronomic specialities

The typical gastronomic specialties of Pistoia are: olive oil, good wine and beans.

But the courageous tourist cannot fail to taste the so-called Prisoner: stale bread, veal entrails, cheese and butter! The corn-based farinata topped with strips of black cabbage is also excellent.

But Pistoia is world famous for its delicious desserts. Confetti is its main industry. The Tuscan castagnaccio is a must, but you have to taste the delicious brigidini with aniseed and the Montecatini waffles with almonds and sugar, the latter to be dipped eagerly in ice cream!

We are waiting for you at Villa Campestri to visit Pistoia

If you are curious and want to discover the beautiful Tuscan towns, we are waiting for you at Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort for a relaxing stay in the beautiful Tuscan countryside a few kilometers from Pistoia.