Italia: Wandering Pistoia

Explorations of a gorgeous medieval Tuscan city. 

Northwest of Florence, Pistoia has a lovely medieval city center and a gorgeous cathedral. It’s a fairly typical Tuscan city, but that doesn’t mean its not special. It’s Tuscany after all.

I arrived on a Sunday, market day. The main streets and plazas were full of vendors. However, by lunchtime they all vanished like nothing happened. I went into a museum and came out to not a single market stall. So, I ran around getting new photos of everything. Therefore, below is the places I visited in order, but not the photos.

Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Very Tuscany.

Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

It looks like the building on the right used to be larger. The facade on the left looks older and same ground floor facade. Confusing.

Piazza della Sala, Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Piazza della Sala, where you will find the fruits and vegetables on market day.

San Bartolomeo, Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

San Bartolomeo, an 8th century church that was later renovated in the 12th century to its current Romanesque style.

San Bartolomeo, Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Traces of frescoes were found on the walls during the mid-20th century renovation. The church may have been brightly colored at one point.

San Bartolomeo, Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Fresco remnants.

San Bartolomeo, Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

A very elaborate pulpit.

San Giovanni Fuoricivitas. Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

San Giovanni Fuoricivitas and its absolutely stunning Romanesque facade. The date of the current appearance of the church is somewhere in 12th-14th centuries.

San Giovanni Fuoricivitas. Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

This church has 13th century frescoes and a giant pulpit. Many of the churches in Pistoia had giant altars like this one.

Cattedrale di San Zeno . Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Cattedrale di San Zeno and its giant bell tower.

Cattedrale di San Zeno . Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Gorgeous Romanesque front.

Cattedrale di San Zeno . Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

The cathedral is a cross between Romanesque and Baroque. Interesting combination.

Cattedrale di San Zeno . Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Love the painted wood ceiling and the bits of fresco that have survived.

Cattedrale di San Zeno . Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

That’s one very elaborate baptismal font.

Cattedrale di San Zeno . Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

A pop of Baroque in the sanctuary.

attistero di San Giovanni in Corte. Cattedrale di San Zeno . Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Back outside in the Piazza del Duomo, where you can find the Gothic Battistero di San Giovanni in Corte from the 14th century opposite from the cathedral.

Piazza del Duomo, Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

More of the piazza after the market disappeared.

Piazzetta Spirito Santo. Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

The adorable Piazzetta Spirito Santo, with the giant dome of the Basilica della Madonna dell’Umiltà in the distance.

Sant'Andrea Apostolo. Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Another gorgeous Romanesque church, Sant’Andrea Apostolo.

Sant'Andrea Apostolo. Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Gorgeous facade.

Sant'Andrea Apostolo. Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Oh, look! Another giant pulpit.

Sant'Andrea Apostolo. Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

An elaborate one, too.

San Francesco, Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

San Francesco, a 14th century church with a later facade.

San Francesco, Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

The front of the church reminds me of a couple of churches in Florence.

San Francesco, Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Some of the little chapels were elaborately decorated in frescoes.

Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

A very yellow tower house.

Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

People come from all over the area to check out Pistoia’s famous Sunday market.

Santi Prospero e Filippo. Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Santi Prospero e Filippo, a very lovely random find.

Santi Prospero e Filippo. Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Neatest part of the church was the apse with a second floor viewing area. It was a bit unexpected.

Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Love those warm colors.

Basilica della Madonna dell'Umiltà, Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Finally made it to the Basilica della Madonna dell’Umiltà, the owner of the big dome. This church has a very odd layout. This is the back of the church. To the left is the main church area.

Basilica della Madonna dell'Umiltà, Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

A multi-sided church with a giant dome. Also, very hard to photograph.

 Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Flowers, anyone?

 Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

I can’t explain why this gorgeous medieval building is now a store. Seems too churchy.

Museo dello Spedale del Ceppo. Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Museo dello Spedale del Ceppo, which is in a former 13th century hospital.

Museo dello Spedale del Ceppo. Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

The gorgeous frieze is from the early 16th century. It’s been mostly restored except for the panel on the right. The frieze shows the seven works of mercy.

anatomy theater. Museo dello Spedale del Ceppo. Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

The museum has collections of antique medical equipment. The main feature is the still complete anatomy theater from the 1780s. Cadavers would be dissected on the marble table as the students watched.

Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

Palazzo della Cassa di Risparmio. I just thought it looks neat.

Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

More warm colors.

Pistoia, ItalyJana Irving

It’s hard to tell that just a couple of hours before I took this photo, this street was full of market stalls.

 

Pistoia was a very neat city. There is plenty to do here, from museums to churches. Pistoia is a perfect place to get the experience of a Tuscan city without all of Florence’s crowds.

 

Check out my next update where I explore the Northern Italian city of Ferrara! 

or

Start at the beginning of this adventure.

About Wandering Jana

Traveling the world to discover the past.
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