Location: Pistoia
Top Things to do in Pistoia
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10 Things to Do in Pistoia That You Shouldn't Miss
Pistoia (Italian pronunciation: [piˈstoːja] ( listen)) is a city and comune in the Italian region of Tuscany, the capital of a province of the same name, located about 30 kilometres (19 mi) west and north of Florence and is crossed by the Ombrone Pistoiese, a tributary of the River Arno. It is a typical Italian medieval city, and it attracts many tourists, especially in the summer. The city is famous throughout Europe for its plant nurseries.
Restaurants in Pistoia
1. Sant'Andrea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 201 reviews
Reviewed By RonL40 - Utica, New York
Henry Moore, one the great sculptors of the 20th century, called Pisano the first modern sculptor. The pulpit here at Sant'Andrea is one of his masterpieces and this piece alone make Pistoia a place that might be visited. Less than a half hour from Florence, Pistoia is a quiet town not inundated by tourists -- the pulpit here is a 13th century work that predates the Renaissance. Pisano worked at both Pisa and Siena. Here the pulpit has five reliefs: the Annunciation and Nativity; the Adoration, the Dream of the Magi and the Angel warning Joseph; the Massacre of the Innocents; the Crucifixion; and the Last Judgement. Remarkably fine work where people come alive.
2. Piazza del Duomo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 779 reviews
Reviewed By Ron S - New York City, New York
The Cathedral plaza of Pistoia looks authentically medieval as at least three of its sides are formed by medieval edifices. Those are Palazzo Pretorio and the Baptistery, Palazzo dei Vescovi and the Cathedral itself on the southern side, and Palazzo del Comune. Two other buildings, the Monte dei Paschi bank and Palazzo del Governo seem to be of 17-18 century but fit the environment perfectly.
3. Cathedral of Saint Zeno
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 365 reviews
This 12th-century Cathedral is a principal component of one of the finest piazzas in Italy.
Reviewed By David B L - Los Angeles, California
This grand church / Duomo is a spectacular one with its outside packed layered alternating dark and white marble colors surmounted with marble boxes in classic design, really beautiful. Entrance through massive sculptured doors into a gilt filled interior packed with masterpieces. Must see when in Pistoia. ...
4. Piazza della Sala
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 412 reviews
Reviewed By openvision - West Vancouver, Canada
We went to this market to look for porcini mushroom since it was the right season. We found only one stall selling it. The mushroom was very interesting and they have all sizes. We checked out the tomatoes and while they were not bad, they were not as sweet as some others that we had elsewhere. The piazza was crowded, and the eating places around the square were pretty busy. Extending out towards the street was another market, selling all kinds of household items, clothings etc. It was a good way to spend a morning away from the hotel. Right around the corner you can find amazing buildings. A nice walk all around the neighbourhood would be my recommendation.
5. Ospedale del Ceppo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 246 reviews
Reviewed By Rudi S - Benitachell
For art lovers the facade with equisite paintings is worth a few minutes to admire. Pistoia Sotteranea tours commence in this building as well - which we didn´t explore.
6. Campanile del Duomo di Pistoia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By RonL40 - Utica, New York
As in every Duomo complex, the bell tower is part of the Baptistery, duomo (church), campanile trio. It is the least interesting of the three buildings. You can walk up and see the view. But your time is better spent exploring Pistoia on foot.
7. Giardino Zoologico di Pistoia
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Harribo45 - UK
This was an excellent trip. It was my wife, my 20month son and I. The park has lots of shade, a good range of animals (lion, bear, tiger, elephant, giraffe, etc). The enclosures seemed a decent size and the animals happy(to my untrained eye). The park is small enough that it is a comfortable size to walk around but as I said with plenty of animals. Do bring bug repellent, we dashed past the last few animals as my wife was getting badly bitten.
8. Baptistery
Overall Ratings
4 based on 197 reviews
Built in its present form in Gothic style in the first half of the XIV c. on the site of the old “Paleochristian” and Baptismal church of Santa Maria and San Giovanni. The name “in corte” certifies the presence of a Curtis domini regis, the headquarters of the “gestaldo” in the Lombard period. During the building, which lasted from 1338 to 1360, the grave of Bishop Atto, who died in 1153, was found (he introduced the “Jacobean” cult in Pistoia). Even though Vasari claimed that Andrea Pisano had designed the Baptistery there’s no sure proof about that. It is sure, however, that Cellino di Nese managed the operation: he’s responsible for the outside marble facing. The white marbles originate from Siena and Carrara; the green ones from Prato. The octagonal shaped building presents a pyramidal roofing completed by an elegant lantern. The cupola is covered with sheets of lead surrounded by an open gallery with marble balustrade enriched with spires and statuettes. In the lunette of the main door we can notice the sculptures of Madonna with Child between St. John the Baptist and St. Peter that are traditionally attributed to Nino and Tommaso, sons of Andrea Pisano. The architrave is divided in four bas-reliefs depicting stories of St. John’s life. The door-knockers of the central portal are a masterpiece of wood-cutting and are the work of Pier Francesco Ventura (1523). Inside, the baptismal font can be seen, carved by Lanfranco da Como in 1226. During the Baroque period, this was included in a structure surmounted by the marble statue of St. John the Baptist, a work by Andrea Vacca, now on view in the Baptistery.
Reviewed By RonL40 - Utica, New York
The Baptistery exterior is executed in the same multicolor marble patterns you see in Florence. Beautiful little building with the Pisano reliefs that match his masterpiece, the pulpit in the adjacent Duomo. Love this little building…. we'd visit Pistoia just to see it again.
9. Pistoia Sotterranea
Overall Ratings
4 based on 348 reviews
Reviewed By OzGronk - Brisbane, Australia
A short trip by train to get away from the crowds in Florence saw us in Pistoia, and being a Saturday the markets were in full swing along the streets and filling the squares, a very happy and fun start to our visit.
We found the unhelpful tourist office where we asked about the underground tour and were given a map and vague directions.
We were able to claim concession tickets saving us €2 each, we had an English speaking guide for just the two of us so the price was OK.
The tour was fairly interesting and we got to appreciate the developments of the hospital over the centuries from beneath the foundations.
Those looking for the wow factor will be disappointed, but we like to see things from alternate viewpoints so enjoyed the experience.
10. San Bartolomeo in Pantano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By JohnUK - London, United Kingdom
Many of the churches we visited in Tuscany were sparkly and rather too cared for. This one smelt like a old church? The Romanesque arches spoke if history whilst the amazing marble pulpit had so much carving it would take paragraphs to describe. Just outside the centre but easy to find it was a wondful contrast to the grandeur of the Cathedral.
