History & Culture | Prato
Tourist Attractions
Located at the mouth of the Bisenzio Valley, Prato is the second-largest city in Tuscany and the third in Central Italy (after Rome and Florence) by population. It lies in the heart of the region, close to the world’s most famous art cities: Florence (15 km), Lucca (50 km), Pisa (82 km), Siena (79 km). The tourist offer develops across art, nature, and the history of textiles — a history still alive today and around which Prato has grown, built its wealth, and developed values of hospitality and intercultural exchange. In just minutes, one can pass from densely inhabited and industrial areas to zones covered in forest and, at lower elevations, cultivated lands.
The City
The city of Prato stands in an enviable position: nestled against the slopes of the Calvana and Monferrato mountains, it stretches along the Bisenzio River plain, halfway between Pistoia and Florence. This makes it a privileged starting point for exploring the surrounding areas, which offer a wide variety of tours and excursions — both natural and historical-artistic. Just minutes from the centre, you can reach beautiful hilly and mountainous areas, choosing from more or less demanding itineraries: from the Monteferrato trails to those of the Calvana and Montalbano, up to the Upper Bisenzio Valley where you can access the Cantagallo-Acquerino nature reserve. Besides the proximity to Florence, the nearby towns in the Province also offer notable attractions.
The Emperor’s Castle
The Emperor’s Castle is located in Prato in Piazza delle Carceri, next to the Church of Santa Maria delle Carceri. It is an example of Frederician architecture, built by order of Emperor Frederick II of Swabia, during the power struggle between the empire and the papacy that marked the decades around the year 1200.
After restoration work in the 1970s, the castle was opened to the public and can be visited. It is also used by the municipality as a venue for cultural events and exhibitions.
Piazza Duomo
The large Piazza del Duomo took on its current shape to complement the Basilica Cathedral of Santo Stefano and allows visitors to admire its various features from countless different angles.
The façade is crafted with the expert use of the bichrome pattern of alberese and serpentine (also known as Prato’s green marble, used in many churches and buildings throughout Tuscany).
Inside, the church has a unified appearance that is full of discoveries.
Textile Museum
The Textile Museum is located in Prato at Via Puccetti 3 and is one of the most important museums on a national and European level.
Inside, visitors can explore exhibitions and retrospectives on the history and development of textile weaving from antiquity to the present day.
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