Where is Pistoia? More than 10 reasons to visit this hidden gem in Tuscany , Italy’s capital of culture in 2017!

Why should you visit Pistoia?

Not just because it is my birthplace , of course!

( or  maybe…. just for this ?)

not only because it is crowned  Italy’s capital of culture in 2017 

but

first of all for its geographic position in Italy

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

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 hectares of olive groves and vineyards & 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 beneficial 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 beautify prestigious 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 the   main square can show you  Etruscan 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 school  terracotta frieze just restored, simply magnificent, of our old Ospedale del Ceppo founded in 1277, where I was born some centruries after.

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 place with  its   old narrow streets, but with a great heritage to share & to  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 or villas to rent , there is a huge choice: wine & extra virgin olive  oil tastings are available by   local  wine estates or trying to  becoome a real Tuscan chef just for a day with a cooking class in a traditional farmhouse.

for its museums

Marino Marini’s  foundation , the only embroidery museum of Europe, the Pope’s  Clemente IX palace Rospigliosi old palace  ( yes, we even  have had a Pope here born in 1600 !) palazzo Fabroni , modern art museum ,the archeological & the city hall to mention just few  and the underground guided path that is the longest hypogeous of Europe just under the old Il Ceppo  Hospital

for its zoo

Pistoia can  be called “kids friendly ” 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 a 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 find in the same place 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 founded in 1473 ,  with precious old books located in a beautiful historical palace just in the heart of the city and another called Friendship library open in a private historical   cafè

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 smell in the air

 And now if you want to visit me here … just ask me more & I will give you names & more info!

Enjoy life😍❤️👍