Rent a holiday home or agriturismo in Prato

Prato: an introduction

Prato is the smallest and youngest province of Tuscany, located in the north of the region. It can even be considered small by Italian standards, as only Trieste has a smaller surface area and a smaller number of municipalities. Nevertheless, the capital, Prato, is no small city: it can call itself the second largest city in Tuscany, after Florence.

For a long time, the area belonged to the province of Florence, but that changed in 1992. The landscape is very diverse, with high mountains in the north and lowlands in the south. Due to this diversity, the province has a great deal to offer the visitor.

Prato: a piece of history

Based on archaeological findings, it has been established that the area around Prato was already inhabited during the Paleolithic period. In later times, the Etruscans and Romans settled there. The province had already enjoyed temporary administrative independence between 1919 and 1925, but it was not until 1992 that Prato became permanently independent. In that year, it was decided to separate several areas from the province of Florence, given their growing population numbers.

Prato was one of them, particularly due to a growing number of Chinese migrants who found their way to the capital. Today, Prato is primarily an industrial city that continues to grow. The textile industry plays the leading role. In addition, the city is known as the birthplace of the painters Filippino Lippi and Fra Bartolommeo, as well as the sculptor Lorenzo Bartolini.

Out and about in the province of Prato

Prato as a province is perhaps somewhat less known to visitors of Tuscany, overshadowed by tourist attractions in cities such as Lucca en SienaHowever, Prato is also very suitable as a holiday destination due to the unique combination of nature, culture, and local cuisine.

Nature

Prato is situated at the mouth of the Bisenzio Valley. This valley originated from a large lake that gradually silted up due to sediment from the surrounding rivers. The area is mountainous in the north (near Calvana) but hilly near Monteferrato. Prato is home to several protected nature reserves, including the Monti della Calvana, Monteferrato, and the Acquerino Cantagallo nature reserve. The latter area is densely forested with beech and chestnut trees, interspersed with vast grasslands. It is an area where deer can be seen. The streams and rivers flowing through the area also teem with life, including salamanders and bullheads.

Culture

The long history of the area is reflected in its cultural attractions. From ancient Etruscan finds in Pietramarina to a theatre from the early 20th century: everything can be found here. The main sights besides those in Prato itself:

The open-air museum in Luicciana, with installations by contemporary artists, including Vinicio Berti, Silvio Loffredo, and Gualtiero Nativi.
Medici Villa La Ferdinanda In Carmignano: Ferdinando I de'Medici commissioned architect Bernardo Buontalenti to build this villa. An archaeological museum is located on the ground floor of the villa.
Rocca di Montemurlo: A 10th-century fortress offering stunning views of the city of Montemurlo and the surrounding region. Originally intended for the defense of the city, it was later converted into an elegant country house. Visits by appointment only.
Villa Medicea Ambra in Poggio a Caiano: Also a villa built commissioned by a de'Medici, this time Lorenzo il Magnifico. The villa was completed in 1520 and was used by the de'Medici family as a summer residence. Today, it houses a small museum dedicated to still lifes. The gardens are also certainly worth a visit.
Badia di S. Salvatore in Vaiano: An abbey built by Benedictine monks at the beginning of the 10th century. Many of the original paintings are well preserved. The accompanying museum was thoroughly restored and reopened to the public in 1999.
Casone e Oratorio di S. Niccolo' in San Quirico: Built in the eighteenth century as a residence for castle lords, but currently used as the town hall. Both the council chamber and the chapel are worth visiting.

culinary

Like every province, Prato also has its own local specialties. A selection:

Arista arrosto: Pork loin with salt, pepper, garlic, and rosemary. This is often served with cabbage.
Dried figs from Carmignano: Figs are cultivated on the fertile hills of Carmignano, among other crops. However, this is done in limited quantities, making it a fairly rare product.
Mortadella di Prato: Sausage whose origins date back to the sixteenth century. Its unique flavor is achieved through various herbs and a liqueur named Alkermes.
Pinot Nero di Bagnolo: Nestled amidst the hills near Montemurlo lies the Villa Bagnolo vineyard, which produces a special Pinot Noir. The soil is rich in iron, which is evident in the wine. Villa Bagnolo wine is purple in color and has aromas of blackberries and plums, as well as vanilla due to aging in oak barrels. Read more about wine and gastronomy in Tuscany

Walking

Both the mountains and the hilly areas of Prato are very suitable for hiking. From recreational to sporty, there are routes for every level of hiker.

Walking route

A lovely hiking route is the one to the medieval village of San Leonardo on the Monte in Calvana. From Prato, the path leads past vast fields and vineyards, culminating in a beautiful view of the region from the mountaintop. Do set aside a full day for this trek, as it is a strenuous hike. Read more about walking and hiking in Tuscany

Cycling

Thanks to the variety of the landscape, touring cyclists, mountain bikers, and recreational cyclists alike can find routes to their liking in the province of Prato. Those seeking a challenge head into the mountains, but those who prefer sightseeing are better off staying in the hilly area.

Cycling route

A cycle route of over 9 kilometers runs along the Bisenzio River. From the bridge over the Butiri River, you cycle towards Valdarno. Without interruptions, this takes about an hour and a half to cycle, passing waterfalls, villas, and monasteries. Because these sights are certainly worth a visit, the route easily takes a bit longer. Read more about cycling and mountain biking in Tuscany

Wellness

For the nearest thermal baths, visitors must go to the province. Pistoia. In the Grotta Giusti and in Montecatini Terme, there is a wide range of options for wellness enthusiasts. Read more about wellness in Tuscany

Events

Every municipality in the province has its own traditions and festivities. A brief selection from the wide range:

Historical procession in Montemurlo: every year on the last Sunday in June, a battle from 1537 is re-enacted in Montemurlo, which took place between Florentine exiles and the troops of Cosimo I de'Medici.
Festa della polenta in Vernio:
In Vernio, the polenta festival (also known as the 'Pulendina') is held every year on the first Sunday of Lent. It is a re-enactment of a sixteenth-century legend according to which the Bardi distributed polenta, herring, and cod to the local population.
Festa di San Michele in Carmignano: a festival that takes place every year at the end of September, during which the various districts of the municipality parade through the streets. There is also a donkey race.

Prato, the city itself

The historic center of Prato is built in the shape of a hexagon. Most of the sights are located within this hexagon, but there is plenty to see outside of it as well.

Culture

Prato has many buildings of historical and artistic importance. Many of them date from the Middle Ages and were built with materials from the immediate surroundings. The main sights:

Duomo Santo Stefano: Located on the Piazza del Commune, this church stands out primarily for its green-and-white striped marble façade. Many visitors come to this church to admire the outdoor pulpit featuring paintings by Donatello. Inside the cathedral, various frescoes can be viewed.
Galleria Comunale: This museum is located in the Palazzo Pretorio. The collection consists of pieces by Florentine masters from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.
Castello dell'Imperatore: Built on the orders of Frederick II of Hobenstaufen. A striking building with its distinctive towers and battlements.
Textile Museum: A museum dedicated to an important industry for Prato, the textile industry.

Nature

The Centro di Scienze Naturali di Prato is located in the north of Prato. This center also includes a park that is open from Wednesday to Sunday. There are regular excursions that highlight a specific theme.

Events

Historic Procession: Prato celebrates every year on September 8 with an ode to the Holy Belt on the birthday of Mary. A historic procession winds through the streets of the city, and there is also an archery competition, a medieval market, and fireworks.
PratoEstate: Every summer, there are various activities in Prato under the banner of PratoEstate. The event consists of concerts, theatrical performances, and an open-air cinema. PratoEstate runs from June through September.