A geographical central position close to Tuscan major art cities, fast and frequent highway and railway connections, comfortable and easily accessible hotels make Prato the right place to start your journey across Tuscany.

Historical Information
Of Roman origin, Prato was razed to the ground during the Greek Gothic war (6th century) and was reconstructed under Lungobard dominion. It proclaimed itself a free commune in the 12th century, prospering above all thanks to its flowering textile activity, which didn't end despite local conflicts and attacks from the nearby cities. The frequent wars of the 14th century led to the construction of the walls, which are still preserved today. Changing events led to Prato's submission to the power of the Angioni. Subsequently the city passed under the tutelage of Florence (14th century), nonetheless maintaining a certain autonomy. In 1653 it held the title of city and of diocese. The history of the city of Prato may be traced to the invasion of the Longobards in the 6th century A.D., who settled in the Val di Bisenzio and the area around Montemurlo, though the area has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Succeeding periods saw the settlement of Ligurians, Etruscans (7th-10th centuries B.C.) and finally Romans, whose presence has been validated by several findings in the zone of Galceti, the archaeological area at Artimino and the ancient name of pagus Cornius attested by these places.
In the second half of the 11th century the city was formed by two distinct nuclei of habitation.

Rio Buti creek

Where you can find the Grotto of Rio Buti called "Forra di S. Lucia" "Tana di Buti" and "Fonte Buia".

Trekking: Walking along the medieval roads of the Prato mountains
From Prato's Porta al Serraglio railway station take the via S. Antonio crossing Porta Mercatale and passing the Bisenzio. Then proceed on via Gobetti which becomes via Cadorna, then in via Diaz and the Cappuccini climb. At the end of this turn left on via di Filettole to reach Filettole. The signs start here for the no.40 CAI path, which runs into via di Carteano, a narrow asphalt road. Once beyond Carteano, take Via di Valibona, levelled, which eventually narrows to a mule track as it nears the bottom of the valley Rio Buti. This ancient road takes you to Sella di Valibona where you must take path no.20 CAI on the right. This climbs the hilly ridge of the Calvana reaching the great Cross of the Retaia and descends to the Sella di Cavagliano. Now you take the path no.26 CAI on the right, which, after passing in front of the Chiesino di Cavagliano goes down along the ancient Cavagliano road, leaving it only at the point to return to Filettole. From here you can quickly get down to Prato.


There was the Borgo of Cornio, situated in the zone where there is the Piazza Duomo, today; already in existence nearby were the old parish church of Santo Stefano and Castle of Pratum of the counts of Alberti. The Alberti castle thus gave its name to the city. During this period the population of Prato enjoyed an autonomous government. The Commune, whose jurisdiction was entrusted to consuls and mayors, elected to office for six-month period.

From the end of the 1100s to the beginning of the 1200s two city walls were constructed for the defense of a Commune that had become an important commercial center for wool. Also during the same period Prato was caught in the center of the deadly battles between the Guelf and Ghibelline factions, the discomforting proximity of Florence playing a large role in political and institutional life.
In the following century, after great epidemics and loss of life, Prato underwent a radical demographic resizing which gave to the noble families who had survived the plague of 1348 the opportunity to reconstruct their palaces. Among the many dramatic events that characterize the history of the city was its sack in 1512 by Spanish troops. This event hastened the restoration of the severe Medici government in Prato, which ruled for the city of Florence.
In 1653, with its diocesan institutions, Prato was given the title of City; until that point it had been referred to only as "Land".

Castello dell'imperatore

If between 1500 and 1600 Prato experienced a period of economic slow-down, in the following century under the Lorena Grand Dukes of Tuscany the city developed its textile activity and began to assume the form of the present city. The Corporations, by then outdated, were suppressed and a new the Chamber of Commerce was formed.
The first decades of the 19th saw the mechanization of industry and in the second half of the century the fabrication of regenerated wool, which had been produced from leftover textile.
It is indeed these products that have triumphed in today's world markets, permitting the city to retain its present dominance in the textile industry.
Prato-Castello

The City
Capital city of the province of Prato since 1993, Prato is situated 61 meters above sea level in the plain which is traversed by the Bisenzio River between Pistoia and Florence. An important industrial center (textiles, manufacturing, chemical and mechanical sectors), it possesses notable Medieval and Renaissance monuments of historical and artistic value. These are well-conserved thanks to the circuit of walls built in the 1300's.


Duomo di Prato

Things To see
The Cathedral of S. Stefano, emerging from the pieve of the same name from the High Middle Ages, was begun in the 13th century by Giudetto da Como and amplified in Gothic style in the 14th century. The elegant façade with white and green stripes presents a beautiful doorway ornamented by a terracotta by Andrea della Robbia. On the right corner stands the Pulpit of The Sacred Belt. This canopied pulpit was created by Michelozzo in the 15th century and decorated by seven valuable tiles by Donatello. Alongside the transept stands the bell tower, which is decorated by bifore and trifore. The three-naved interior, with green marble columns, conserves its Romanesque character. Among the notable works of art are the Pulpit by Mino da Fiesole and Antonio Rossellino (15th century) the grandiose fresco cycle by Filippino Lippi and Paolo Uccello (15th century), and the sculptured works by Benedetto da Maiano. In the Chapel of The Sacred Belt, alongside the 15th-century façade one can admire the frescoes of Agnolo Gaddi and the Madonna with Child by Giovanni Pisano. Alongside the Cathedral is the Museum of the Works of the Duomo, located in the Medieval Episcopal Palace. Besides furnishings and sacred objects, the museum displays paintings, sculptures and frescoes by Filippino Lippi, Paolo Uccello, and Spinello Aretino. From the museum, one reaches the characteristic 12th-century cloister, which is decorated with frescoes, sculptures and marble inlays. Closed Tuesdays.

The central Piazza del Comune is dominated by the imposing Pretorial Palace, rising out of 13th and 14th-century houses. This building, crowned with merle-work and decorated with elegant tri-lobed bifore, houses the Communal Art Gallery. The Gallery exposes important works from the Tuscan, Neapolitan, Roman and Dutch Schools. Closed temporarily for repairs.

The piazza is enclosed on two sides by the doorway of the Communal Palace, in which the public can view the Council Chamber (1300's) and the Gallery of Medici portraits. Only by appointment.

Near the Commune (or Town Hall) is the Renaissance S. Maria delle Carceri, begun done by Giuliano da Maiano in 1484 and finished by Giuliano da Sangallo in 1495. The harmonious construction, in the form of a Greek cross surmounted by a dome, contains glazed terracotta decorated made by Andrea della Robbia (1492).

In the Piazza della Carceri stands the imposing Castle of the Emperor, also called S. Barbara Fortress. Built by Federico II in the 13th century, it is the only example of Swedish architecture in central-western Italy. The impressive merled building, on a square plan, incloses a vast courtyard today used for performances. From the walkway on the walls one can enjoy a beautiful panorama of the city. Closed Sunday afternoons and Mondays.

Entering the Via Rinaldesca, one finds the Alberti Palace, headquarters of the Alberti Gallery, which houses a precious collection of Baroque Tuscan paintings, with works by Caravaggio, Bellini, and Filippo Lippi. Open only by appointment.

Outside the city walls is the unique Textile Museum, which offers a thorough presentation of the textile activity between the 15th and the 19th centuries. Closed Tuesdays and holiday.

Finally, the Luigi Pecci Museum of Contemporary Art is worth visiting. It contains one of the most important collections in Italy, housed in an extremely modern complex (1987), planned by Italo Ciamverini. The museum contains temporary exhibits and displays. Closed Tuesdays

Art
Luigi Pecci Museum of Contemporary Art
Viale della Repubblica, tel. 0574-570620

Museum of Textiles
Piazza del Comune, tel. 0574-611503

Communal Art Gallery
Piazza del Comune, tel. 0574-616240

Alberti Gallery
Via degli Alberti, tel. 0574-617359

Museum of the Works of the Duomo
Piazza Duomo, tel. 0574-29339

How To Arrive By car

Highway A 11 from Pistoia-Florence
Autostrada A 1 and A 11 from Bologna
Autostrada A 12 and A 11 from Genoa

By Train

Rail communications follow the routes of the highways. Connections with Florence, Pistoia, Lucca and Bologna.

By air

The nearest airport is A. Vespucci Airport of Florence-Peretola

How To Get Around
The little historic center can easily be visited on foot. Parking places are found downtown or on the periphery (near the Piazza del Mercato or the railway station).

APT Agency for the Promotion of Tourism
Via Muzzi 51, tel. 0574-35141; Piazza delle Carceri 48, tel. 0574-24112.

Food
Prato's cooking doesn't differ much from that of nearby Florence, but it presents some typical dishes: the original "polpette alla pratese," meatballs with veal, ham, potatoes, eggs, pine nuts and raisins; a flavorful vegetable and bean soup; steamed osso bucco; and an elaborate celery "alla pratese," filled with veal, chicken livers and parmesan cheese and covered with a rich meat sauce.

Shopping
In Prato's traditional pastry shops one can acquire the famous Prato "biscotti": "cantucci"' and "brutti boni," also called "mandorlati di S. Clemente" (almond cookies). These are eaten with the classic "Vin Santo," a sweet and agreeable Tuscan liquore.

Shops and Markets
Ostensione del Sacro Cingolo (Display of the Sacred Belt): with historic processional, Christmas evening from the pulpit of the Cathedral.
International Gathering of Comics and Science Fiction, the first half of September.