PISTOIA: A POOL OF SOLITUDE
Before we tell you anything else about Pistoia, we must inform you that the word ‘pistol’ derives from this city, originally because of the blades that were made here, and then because of the guns. Fascinating, huh? This is only one of the reasons that make Pistoia an attractive tourist destination, the others being its rich cultural history, and the well-preserved and charming medieval city inside the old walls. Pistoia is also rapidly becoming a centre for agritourism in Tuscany, and we have on offer farmhouses and residences that will turn your visit into a memorable experience.
Pistoia is also the capital of the province of Pistoia, and is located about 30 km west and north of Florence. Called Pistoria in Roman times, it was a centre of Gallic, Ligurian and Etruscan settlements before it became a Roman colony in the 6th century BC. From the 5th century the city was a bishopric, and under the Lombard kingdom it was a royal city. Pistoia’s golden age began in 1177 when it declared itself a free commune. In the years that followed, the city became an important political centre.
In 1254, Guelph Florence took over the Ghibelline Pistoia, and it remained a Florentine holding except for a brief period in the 14th century, when Castruccio Castracani captured it for Lucca, and was officially annexed to Florence in 1530. Michelangelo, unfortunately, called the people of Pistoia the “enemies of heaven”, and even Dante’s Divine Comedy had a character called Vanni Fucci, who we see in Inferno tangled up in a knot of snakes while cursing God.
Happily, Pistoia today is notable for its vast garden nurseries and flower markets, as well as its archaeological attractions. The Piazza del Duomo is lined with attractive buildings like the Palazzo del Comune and the Palazzo del Podestà. The piazza also hosts, in July, the Giostra dell’Orso (Bear Joust), when horsemen tilt with lances at a target held up by a dummy shaped like a bear.
The Cathedral of San Zeno, burned down in 1108 and rebuilt in the following century, has a Romanesque façade, while the interior displays Baroque adornments removed during the 1960s. Its outstanding feature is the silver Altar of St James, begun in 1287 and finished only in the 15th century. Its various sections contain 628 figures, and the total weighs nearly a ton. The Piazza del Duomo is also home to the 14th century Baptistery, made of marble in Gothic style.
Come and see the other attractions of Pistoia for yourself, but before you set out, consult our list of hotels, farmhouses, bed & breakfasts, and apartments in Pistoia. The accommodations that we recommend offer you every modern amenity and provide facilities for safe online booking.
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