Preview
A few years ago, a tour organiser from a Hungarian travel agency asked me if I could guide their group on a sightseeing tour of Pistoia. I enthusiastically said yes and began preparing for the tour. I enthusiastically said yes and began preparing for the tour. A helpful Italian colleague of mine, originally from Pistoia, introduced me to the city. As we walked through its streets, she told me about its churches, pilgrims, saints and legends. I was simply fascinated by the city’s eventful history, from its Roman foundation to Medici rule, and by the story of its clever bishop who helped the city flourish during the Middle Ages. It soon became clear that the people of Pistoia have never forgotten their heroes – or their traitors. They even continue to enjoy a traditional Pistoian sweet known as confetti, still made according to a recipe dating back some 700 years.
Since then, I have had several opportunities to introduce Pistoia to both Hungarian and international visitors. For many of them, a true hidden gem emerged from what had previously been an almost unknown city.
During our tour, we visit the Cathedral of San Zeno with its world-famous Silver Altar, the Church of Sant’Andrea, Piazza della Sala with its Renaissance fountain, the Town Hall – where, of course, the Medici coat of arms can still be seen – the Torre di Catilina and the historic Ospedale del Ceppo. At the end of the tour, we also visit a family-run workshop producing traditional confetti. Here, we not only have the opportunity to taste these local sweets, but also to see how they are still made today using traditional techniques.
For further details, please contact me.
Practical Information
Duration
3 hours
Sights Along the Walking Tour
Church of Sant’Andrea, Cathedral of San Zeno (free admission) and its Silver Altar (admission ticket required), Ospedale del Ceppo (viewed from the outside), Piazza della Sala, Piazza del Duomo
Optional Additional Programmes
Underground Pistoia beneath the historic hospital, Visit to a traditional confetti workshop with a tasting of this local speciality
