Pistoia: Art, History and Culinary Delights in Tuscany

Pistoia combines important works of art and architecture with underground urban history, regional specialties and experiences among olive groves and wildlife. Those planning a trip to Pistoia can discover many different facets of the city: Tuscan Gothic, painting from the 13th to the 14th century, modern art, archaeological tours and cuisine closely linked to local traditions.

Discover art and urban history

The Baptistery of San Giovanni in corte is considered one of the most outstanding examples of Tuscan Gothic. The frescoes in the Church of San Jacopo in Castellare offer a different perspective on local art history. They allow visitors to observe the development of local painting between the 13th and 14th centuries. Several museums explore the history of Pistoia from different perspectives. The Museo dell’Antico Palazzo dei Vescovi features an underground archaeological tour. It reconstructs the history of the site from the first Roman settlement through its construction in the Middle Ages and later changes. The Museo dello Spedale del Ceppo has a dedicated section on the polychrome glazed Robbiano terracotta frieze above the external loggia. The interactive Museo di San Salvatore opened in 2022 after a long and complex restoration of the building of the former Church of San Salvatore. It presents the history of the oldest part of the city. The Museo del Novecento e del Contemporaneo di Palazzo Fabroni represents more recent art history: the city of Pistoia’s permanent collection of modern and contemporary art takes visitors on a tour from the 1920s to the present day. Palazzo de’ Rossi also houses a permanent tour dedicated to artists who have worked in Pistoia since the beginning of the 20th century.

A journey through history, landscapes and culinary delights

Pistoia Sotterranea is a guided archaeological tour beneath Pistoia. It focuses on the relationship between the ancient city and water. The tour therefore complements the above-ground museums with a view of the city’s hidden historical level. Those who want to experience Pistoia more actively can take inspiration from the “Cycling through the Pistoia Hills” bike tour. The easy bicycle tour, suitable for everyone, begins at Piazza del Duomo in Pistoia and leads through villages and olive groves. For quieter moments, San Jacopo Orchard Park is ideal: there, you can walk, relax, eat fruit and pick it directly from the trees. The Pistoia Zoo also has its own special focus. It is a seven-hectare zoo with more than 400 animals. Thus, alongside churches, palaces and museums, Pistoia also offers nature and wildlife experiences. The “Pistoia, live it and taste it” experience combines visits to Pistoia’s symbolic monuments with food tastings and craft workshops. The tastings include “confetti pistoiesi”, “brigidini” from the tradition of the Province of Pistoia and the special bread “la jacopina”, named after the patron saint San Jacopo. In this way, the city’s history is conveyed not only through buildings and collections, but also through flavors and craft traditions. For further research into the area, you can also visit the pages on Piastre, Santomato, Sarripoli, Pontelungo, Arcigliano, Ponte Nuovo, Bottegone, Sammommè, Piteccio and Cireglio.

For the higher-level travel overview: Pistoia.