Pistoia

Toscana, Italy

Why visit Pistoia?

Pistoia

Central Italy

Tuscany

Pistoia (province)

Pistoia Pistoia is in the Tuscany region of , halfway between Florence and Lucca , about 40 km away from each, with a population of under 90,000 (2024) that gives it a city feel, but it is tightly constructed and easy to get around and through by foot, however the city is rarely visited by tourists. The strategic location of the city makes it easy to visit all of Tuscany.

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How do you get there?

By train The main East - West train stops here.

Pistoia railway station , Piazza Dante Alighieri . Main station. ( updated Nov 2020 )

Pistoia Ovest railway station . Smaller station, only regional trains calls here. ( updated Nov 2020 )

The town centre is compact and walkable. A car is recommended for exploring the surrounding area. Local buses may connect to nearby villages.

What are the things to do?

Although it's not a busy tourist destination, there are many things to see in Pistoia. The city center is rich of ancient streets, squares and churches dating back to the medieval period. View the following points of interest , all of which can be seen on foot (the historic center is closed to motorized traffic): Cathedral of San Zeno (and bell tower) Baptistery Ospedale del Ceppo and Pistoia Sotterranea Piazza della Sala Marino Marini Museum Start at the main square, housing Pistoia’s Duomo. Though perhaps not the first cathedral for Pistoia, it most definitely presents a distinct and elegance appearance. It is found within the first set of city walls dates back to the Lombard domination in the 7th century. Named after San Zeno , it dates back to the 10th century though much of what you admire today has been restored several times over the last hundreds and hundreds of years.. San Zeno was an important bishop from 300 B.C. and his statue towers on the cathedral’s roof next to the statue of the city’s patron, San Jacopo (St. James), who are historically linked to each other since it was the bishop Zeno who acquired the important relic of San Jacopo from the city of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. To the right of the Duomo, note the very particular brick building, the bishop’s palace, unknown as the Palazzo dei Vescovi, characterized by a loggia with lancet arches and mullioned windows. On the other side of the cathedral you will note Palazzo del Podestà or Pretorio, and opposite it the Palazzo del Comune, both where the ancient headquarters for law enforcement and local government during the years. There are two impressive towers in the piazza: the bell tower of the Duomo and the Torre di Catalina. The first is located to the left of the church, characterized by the Gothic style tower and by the swallow tail feather shape typical of the Ghibelline period. It is 67 meters high and there are two hundred stairs which await you, promising incredible panoramic views that are well worth every ounce of energy. Tickets are available at the Tourist Office. Legends tells us that the Tower of Catalin, which is dwarfed next to the bell tower at only 30 meters, is said to be the final resting place of the famous Roman general Catalin. The Baptistery of San Giovanni in Corte , an elegant example of 14th century Gothic architecture, faces the cathedral. The baptistery’s octagonal shape, constructed in two colors of marble, reflects the Pistoiese Romanic tradition. The baptistery has gone through several different restoration interventions throughout the centuries. Upon entering, the atmosphere is solemn as well as bare. Your attention is inevitably drawn to the splendid baptismal font , positioned right in the center of the octagon, constructed by Lanfranco di Como. Today, the baptistery is no longer used for religious services but rather, occasionally hosts cultural events. The Piazza della Sala

There is a great flea market on Wednesdays and Saturdays in Pistoia. It starts about 7:30 in the morning but is finished by 13:00. Great bargains to be had in clothes and shoes and household items. Antique Market in Pistoia - about 50 antique dealers gather along Via Cavour and Via Bozzi in the center of Pistoia on the second weekend of every month (except July and August). Montecatini Terme . A spa. Monsummano Terme . A spa.

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Where to eat?

Gian Burrasca Restaurant, Corso Antonio Gramsci, 159/B Pizzeria Partenope Viale Adua , Via Morelli Gualtierotti Sigismondo, 15 Try anywhere on the Piazza della Sala

Where to drink?

Try anywhere on the Piazza della Sala

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Where to stay?

Hotel Villa Cappugi , Via Collegigliato, 45 , ☏ +39 0573 450297 , fax : +39 0573 451009 , [email protected] . Residence Arte Mura , Viale Adua 159, 51100 , ☏ +39 0573 50181 , fax : +39 0573 975219 , [email protected] .

What should you buy?

Local shops offer regional products, handicrafts, and everyday necessities. Markets may be held weekly in the town square.

Where to go next?

The Zoo of Pistoia (about 10 km outside of the city) and to the Pinocchio Park in Collodi, with its adjacent Garzoni Garden. The town can serve as a handy base camp for exploring the surrounding area. Florence (35km) Lucca (42 km) Pisa (67 km) This article is issued from Wikivoyage . The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

Nearby in Toscana

More places to explore around Pistoia.

Guide content as of June 2026. Portions adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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