Pistoia

A CITY WORTH VISITING

The origins of Pistoia date back to Roman times, but the city was the stage of greater artistic and architectural splendour around 1300 when it was enriched with a new city walls. The scene of clashes during the middle ages, it became a fief of the Medici family. Among the buildings of great artistic merit the Duomo; embellished by the Renaissance pictorial art in the inside frescos.

For younger kids, out door is the Zoo, near the Verginina.

 

Traditions

The most traditional of Pistoia, linked to its medieval past is the Giostra dell'Orso, a palio held in late July in the city center, in honor of San Jacopo. The districts will compete with their riders in a race on horseback in which Duelists must hit the target and get more points.

 

Typical products

The restaurants and the taverns of Pistoia offer local dishes every day including many products made from chestnut flour. These include the chestnut, a typical cake stuffed with chocolate.