Places to see in ( Prato - Italy )
Places to see in ( Prato - Italy )
Prato sits in the heart of Tuscany, near some of the most famous of the world's cities of art: Florence, Lucca, Pisa, Siena. It is the second-largest city in the Region, as well as the third in Central Italy for number of inhabitants. The city's roots lie in the realms of art and nature, even if its economy - and that of the Province - was historically founded on the textile sector. Such a history is still alive and kicking, spurring on its growth beyond the riches it created; the area remains particularly rich in its values of hospitality, and in its cultural diversity.
The city of Prato, internationally renowned for the textile production that has its roots in a time-honored tradition, gather the evolution phases of this activity together in a museum. It is a journey through the historical memories and world of textiles. The terrain is rather varied, offering historic-artistic attraction of great significance along an itinerary in discovery of the treasures of the Etruscan, Medieval, and contemporary ages.
The Province of Prato is an authentic discovery of unexpected treasures. In a province primarily known for its important textile districts, it is less-known that it preserves historic works of beauty, where traditions and a prized cuisine blend with the beautiful scenery to create a dynamic that is fresh, modern and new. The Province comprises the Comunes of Cantagallo, Carmignano, Montemurlo, Poggio a Caiano, Vaiano and Vernio.
Piazza del Comune is the original nucleus of Prato, a crossroad of two Medieval streets. It hosts the 13th-century Palazzo Comunale and the medieval Palazzo Pretorio, which is characterized by red bricks and is the home of the civic museum that will open again on March 22nd after a long period of closure due to restoration. In the middle of the square, there is a statue of Prato's famous merchant, Francesco Datini. You'll also see a fountain: it's copy of the Fontana del Bacchino (Little Bacchus), the original of which is inside the Palazzo Comunale.
Piazza del Duomo is just few steps from Piazza del Comune. The main attraction here is the Cathedral of Santo Stefano, a jewel of Romanesque Gothic architecture, which featuresAndrea della Robbia's sculptured relief doorway and Donatello's pulpit. Inside, you'll find frescoes by Paolo Uccello, Filippo Lippi and Agnolo Gaddi. On September 8, each year, this is where the Display of the Sacred Belt of the Madonna takes place. It is one of the main celebrations in Prato.
San Domenico church is easy to reach from Piazza del Duomo, by take Via Convenevole. San Domenico is a refined Gothic structure in stone and brick. Passing through the cloister, you'll see the Museo di Pittura Murale. Palazzo Datini is another point of interest because because it is a rare example of a medieval frescoed residence. It was built in 1383 for the merchant Francesco Datini, and, in 1409, housed Pope Alexander V.
In Piazza San Francesco stands the church of the same name, which features a beautiful green and white marble façade. It houses a funerary monument of Geminiano Inghirami and frescoes by Niccolò Gerini in the Migliorati Chapel. Piazza delle Carceri is the home of the Emperor's Castle, erected by Frederick II and built between 1237 and 1247 by Riccardo da Lentini. Here, you'll also find the Basilica of S. Maria delle Carceri, which was commissioned by Lorenzo de' Medici to Giuliano da San Gallo. It features works by Andrea della Robbia, Bernardo Buontalenti and stained glass windows by Domenico Ghirlandaio.
The Cassero Medievale is a medieval bridge house that has a super-elevated fortified walk, accessible from Viale Piave, just in front of the Eastern Gate of the Emperor's Castle. Nearby, you'll find the Museo del Tessuto, the only museum of its kind in Italy. In Piazza San Marco, there is the Square Form with Cut, a white marble sculpture by Henry Moore, which was donated to the City of Prato in 1974. Outside the walls, there is a main attraction you cannot miss: the Centro per l'arte Contemporanea Luigi Pecci, located in Viale della Repubblica. It is not just an exhibition space but alsoa place for international research on contemporary art and textile technology.
( Prato - Italy ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Prato . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Prato - Italy
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