Holiday apartment in Pistoia: art, nature and historic trails

In the historic centre of Pistoia, the Fondazione Pistoia Musei operates four museums. The city’s religious buildings also preserve impressive testimonies: the Cathedral of San Zeno houses the Silver Altar, considered one of the most important works of Italian and European Gothic goldsmithery, as well as a relic of Saint James. In the Chiesa di San Jacopo in Castellare, the frescoes trace the development of local painting from the 13th to the late 14th century.

Culture and history

The Museo del Novecento e del Contemporaneo di Palazzo Fabroni displays the city’s permanent collection of modern and contemporary art and also hosts temporary exhibitions. Beneath the streets of Pistoia, Pistoia Sotterranea offers a guided archaeological tour exploring the historical use of water. The route extends for approximately 650 metres beneath the hospital. The preserved sites include a Roman bridge, medieval washing places, an ancient city gate and two mills; the oldest of these mills dates back to the 12th century.

The history of the province also includes the Museo Ferrucciano di Gavinana. It commemorates Francesco Ferrucci and the historic Battle of Gavinana in 1530. In the immediate surroundings of Pistoia are also the Oltre museum, Museo Civico Pistoia and Museo dell'Antico Ospedale Del Ceppo, as well as Palazzo Rospigliosi, a historic palace. Piazza d'Armi is also nearby; it is listed as a garden.

Nature

The province of Pistoia contains fifteen protected areas. Its diverse landscape encompasses different habitats as well as a rich variety of animal and plant life. The Padule di Fucecchio is designated there as a wetland of conservation importance under the Ramsar Convention. In the Pistoia Apennines lies the WWF-associated Oasi Dynamo nature reserve. It covers more than 1,000 hectares and reaches an altitude of 1,100 metres.

The surrounding mountains also feature as distinct landscape landmarks: Monte Pozzo del Bagno, Parmolaio and Poggio di Valcapratica are located near Pistoia. Alongside the protected areas, named mountain landscapes therefore form part of the city’s regional surroundings.

Trails and historic railway lines

Five pilgrim routes cross Pistoia and the Pistoia Mountains. They connect history, tradition and unspoilt landscapes. Historic Porrettana Express trains also operate in the province, featuring vintage carriages, workshops, excursions and guided tours. The still-active Ferrovia Porrettana runs daily between Pistoia and Porretta.

Another themed route is the nine-kilometre Sentiero della Ghiacciaia Ecomuseum trekking trail in the province of Pistoia. It connects the Ghiacciaia della Madonnina with the Giardino dell’Energia Rinnovabile in Pontepetri. The route is therefore also linked to the technical and scenic sites of the Pistoia Mountains.

Winter and outdoor activities

The Doganaccia winter sports area can be reached from Cutigliano by cable car in eight minutes. The ski area has approximately 15 kilometres of pistes, three of which are lit for night skiing. For cycling, there is a mountain-bike loop that begins near the city centre at Piazza Oplà and climbs towards Germinaia and Iano, offering panoramic views of the city. Another loop starting from Sammommè runs through parts of the Pistoia Mountains with chestnut and beech forests.

The flavours of the Pistoia Mountains

One regional speciality is necci. These are thin flatbreads made from chestnut flour, traditionally rolled into a cannolo shape and filled with ricotta. The dish combines the produce of the chestnut-growing landscape with a clearly defined local preparation method.

Other places

Other destination pages in the area: Larciano, Abetone, Buggiano, Cutigliano, Lamporecchio, Marliana, Massa E Cozzile, Monsummano Terme, Montecatini Terme, Pescia, Pistoia, Quarrata, Serravalle Pistoiese, Uzzano, San Marcello Pistoiese, Pieve A Nievole, Montale, Piteglio, Chiesina Uzzanese, Ponte Buggianese, Sambuca Pistoiese, Agliana, Pianosinatico, Campo Tizzoro, Limestre, Stiappa, Pracchia, Lizzanello, Castagno, Cecina, Panicagliora.

To the overarching travel overview: Tuscany.