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Pistoia is refered to as Little Florence for its concentration of art and architecture

And yet, despite its charms, this Tuscan town sees just a fraction of Florence’s tourists.

That’s set to change as this year the city is Italy’s Capital of Culture, a title earned in recognition not only of its impressive cultural credentials but also its devotion to grass roots ideas and local entrepreneurship.

In return, the award offers the city an opportunity to showcase an alternative side to Tuscany: one that eschews grand-slam sights in favour of thriving small towns full of personality and dynamic, living culture.


Pistoia sits snugly at the foot of the Apennines on the edge of the Ombrone Pistoiese, a tributary of the Arno. Its medieval and Renaissance nucleus is surrounded by two miles of ramparts, just like Lucca, restored for 2017, complete with cycle trails and pedestrian pathways.

Its medieval and Renaissance nucleus is surrounded by two miles of ramparts, complete with cycle trails and pedestrian pathways

Paula Hardy

Like Pisa, Pistoia has an octagonal baptistery and, like Siena, its central piazza is a harmonious architectural ensemble that hosts an annual tournament, the Giostra dell’Orso (Joust of the Bear), every July.

The €15million windfall due to the city as part of the award will only enhance Pistoia’s easy pleasures, funding an array of exhibits, festivals and social programmes, and financing big-ticket projects such as the transformation of the historic Ospedale del Ceppo into a cultural centre and a retrospective of the work of native sculptor Marino Marini in collaboration with the Guggenheim. The central piazza hosts an annual tournament, the Giostra dell’Orso Getty Images/AWL Images RM

10. Ethiopia


The beating heart of Pistoia is Piazza della Sala, a market square since medieval times.

During the day, 13th-century stalls still teeter with market produce. Come evening, the piazza transforms into an outdoor lounge bar.

Climb Pistoia’s sky-high campanile for awesome views over a sea of terracotta rooftops, the surrounding mountains and even Brunelleschi’s famous Florentine dome in the distance. Alongside Florence and Prato, Pistoia is a member of the Metropolitan System for Contemporary Art.

As a result, the city is a hub for contemporary art, hosting riveting temporary exhibitions in Palazzo Fabroni.

Extract from Lonely Planet’s Best In Travel 2017 (£9.99) Pistoia is a member of the Metropolitan System for Contemporary Art


Citalia (01293 765 066/citalia. com) offers two nights in Florence from £406 (two sharing), B&B.

Price includes return flights from London Gatwick to Florence.

Trains to Pistoia (30 minutes) from £8 return.

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