The history of Pistoia date from the Roman period, when in the early second century AD Pistoia was probably a fortified town (oppidum) that served as the basis for the legions. His name Pistoria, Pistoriae or Pistorium may indicate such a role because Pistorio in Latin denotes the oven used to bake bread. With the continuation of Via Cassia to Lucca, Pistoia consolidated its importance in the territory. In the fifth century Pistoia became a bishopric and was later sacked by the Goths of Radagaisus (405 AD). It was later ruled by the Lombards, the Franks and the Ottolingi, the new millennium brought about major changes in political institutions of the town, starting in 1105 the city was ruled by the consuls, the oldest form of democratic judiciary. In 1177 the city passed its first statute, one of the first in Italy.
During the eleventh and twelfth centuries, Pistoia distinguished itself for its strong economic growth and as a result of this the city came to control a large territory that went beyond the limits of what is now the province of Pistoia. The thirteenth century was a critical period in the history of the city that came to be between the two emerging powers of Florence and Lucca. In 1401 Pistoia lost its independence forever and became part of the dominions of Florence. In the following centuries the city prospered, and even under the government of Lorraine it had a flourishing period. The modernization of roads in the Apennines, with the construction of the road to Modena, reported Pistoia in the key role that he had exercised in the past as a trading center with the north of Italy. In 1860 the citizens of Pistoia voted for the union to the Kingdom of Italy. During the fascist regime Pistoia was promoted to a provincial capital.
Pistoia is still almost completely surrounded by its medieval walls, inside the walls there are numerous tourist attraction, first of all the beautiful Piazza del Duomo, which is overlooked by the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Palace of Bishops the Palazzo del Comune and the Palazzo Pretorio. Other interesting buildings in Pistoia are: the Spedale del Ceppo with its beautiful porch; the church of San Bartolomeo in Pantano; the church of San Giovanni Fuoricivitas; the Basilica della Madonna dell'Umiltà; the Church of San Domenico and the former church of Sant'Antonio dei Frati del Tau, with beautiful frescos of the fourteenth century, the Fortress of Santa Barbara, the church of San Francesco, the Parish of Sant'Andrea.
Cathedral of San Zeno, Pistoia. The cathedral already existed in the tenth century. It was probably rebuilt in the twelfth century. At the end of the 1200s the cathedral, still without a porch, was similar to what we see today. The work continued through the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. At the end of the 1500s, the cathedral was again the center of major restoration work.
Former Palace of Bishops (Antico Palazzo dei Vescovi), Pistoia. This building was built towards the end of the eleventh century, it originally looked like a fortress with a tower on one corner.
Baptistery of St. John in Court (Battistero di S. Giovanni in Corte), Pistoia. The first structure of the Baptistery was built in the twelfth century. It was built in the actual shape in the middle of the fourteenth century.
City Hall (Palazzo del Comune), Pistoia. The first building was made in the late thirteenth century. The building was expanded in the first half of the next century when it was added the front porch. In the mid-fourteenth century, the palace took its present shape. In the first part of the seventeenth century was built the bridge that connects the palace to the cathedral.
USEFUL INFORMATION:
Weekly market in Pistoia: Wednesday and Saturday
Weekly market, in Piazza del Duomo e Santo Spirito,
every Wednesday and every Saturday from 8.00 to 13.30.
Tourist Information Office - Pistoia
Piazza Duomo n. 4
51100 Pistoia
Tel. +39 0573 21622
Fax +39 0573 34327
Hours:
Tel. +39 0573 21622 Fax +39 0573 34327
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