Pistoia is located in the Tuscany region of Italy--between Lucca and Florence. It is one of the few towns in Italy that is both full of history and seemingly untouched by tourism.

The medieval architecture stands out in its own right yet blends easily into the common Italian buildings. With the absence of tourists, restaurants focus their food on pleasing the locals, and visitors really get to taste the delicious cuisine of Pistoia. Streets remain almost entirely silent at times and the true essence of the town really shines through. Travelers will get the feeling that they are not simple tourists seeing a city, but are more like people experiencing a culture. Pistoia is a lovely place to stay for a few days or just to visit for a day trip from another city.

Things to Do

For a town that does not attract many tourists, there are many interesting things to do while in Pistoia. The main square of Pistoia, the Piazza del Duomo, makes for a great center to many of the sites in the town. Impressive buildings dating from the 14th century are scattered around the square. One of these such buildings is the San Zeno Cathedral. The interesting stripped arches of the church make an eye- statement and the inside of the church is filled with architectural styles from many different ages. It will cost a small admission to enter the church and the money should really be treated more like a donation. The old bell tower is over 66 meters high and travelers can climb the 200 steps to view an amazing site of Pistoia. However, this is an option that is only available on the weekends.

The Ospedale del Ceppo is another attraction that is interesting to see. It has a stunning collection of medical instruments from the 17th and 19th centuries. These are displayed in the Medical Academy Hall. A sweets shop is next door to the building. Also, market days are on Wednesday and Saturday and visitors can taste the fresh produce from the countryside.

Museums

An Italian town would not be complete without at least 1 museum. Pistoia has 7 museums and prides itself in the motto "7 museums within 100 meters." Most are all located around the Piazzaq del Duomo. The most exciting of these museums is the Museo C Rospigliosi in the Palazzo Rospigliosi. It was owned by a wealthy family of merchants who collected many works of art. The family was linked to Pope Clement IX and visitors can explore frescoes and original furnishing. A picture gallery is included in the museum, which is where most of the art is held. The museum is open everyday but Monday.