Prato

Prato is a city of 186,710 inhabitants in Tuscany, immediately to the west of Florence, and also the capital of the Province of Prato since 1992. The city is famous in Italy and beyond for textile production and for the famous biscotto di Prato (biscuit with almonds better known as "cantuccio").

In the last few decades, Prato has enjoyed a significant population boom and increased immigration. It is now the second largest city in Tuscany, third largest in central Italy (after Rome and Florence) and the eighteenth largest in Italy.

The Duomo of Prato

Understand

Prato is the low-profile cousin of Florence and Pisa in the Central Italy region of Tuscany. Not as mobbed with tourists and without the typical tourist ripoffs it nonetheless has a history and artistic heritage dating back to the Etruscan civilisation and everything since, plus great food. It's a great place to stay and save a few euros while doing day trips to Pisa or Florence.

As regards the area, Prato is a city that is part of the north-east and covers about 100 km². Located at the foot of the mountain of Retaia, it is bisected by the Bisenzio River, a tributary of the Arno.

• 🌍 Tourist Information Office, Piazza Buonamici, 7, ☎ [phone]. Open daily. (updated Dec 2015)

Get in

By plane

The nearest airports are Galileo Galilei di Pisa close to Pisa and Amerigo Vespucci di Firenze close to Florence.

From the airport of Pisa to Prato

The train station at Pisa airport is directly connected with the Santa Maria Novella station in Florence and Pisa Central Station (line Pisa - Lucca - Pistoia - Florence). The airport is very close to the Pisa Nord motorway. From the Pisa Nord motorway take the A11 motorway and continue towards Florence. West Lawn toll is about 65 km from Pisa, while the exit Prato Est is about 73 km away.

From the airport of Florence to Prato

The Amerigo Vespucci Airport is located in Peretola and is as close to the province of Prato. The airport is not directly connected to the railway line. You can reach the station of Firenze Santa Maria Novella and Florence Rifredi using the bus. Arriving by car from Florence in Prato is very simple: the airport is the A11 motorway exit "Firenze Nord", which is only 5 km from the exit Prato Est and 13 km from the exit West Prato. There is a bus service between the airport and Prato (Prato Central Station) operated by Cap Autolinee Prato.

By car

Driving in Italy is not for the faint-of-heart and Prato is no exception especially in the old center of the city where the city walls, narrow streets, and ubiquitous pedestrian zones make navigating and parking particularly difficult.

By train

Prato Stazione Centrale

There are three train stations in Prato. The main station 🌍 Central Station of Prato is a large railway station and located on the Florence-Bologna and Florence-Prato-Pistoia-Lucca-Viareggio lines.

The station 🌍 Prato Porta al Serraglio is a railway station railway Maria Antonia. Least, is the second station in the city of Prato. Among the three stations of the city is the closest to the old town, being only five minutes walk from Piazza del Duomo.

The station of 🌍 Prato Borgonuovo is a small station on the outskirts of the city of Prato. It is located on the Florence-Prato-Pistoia-Lucca-Viareggio, has two tracks and two small loops shelters. On the first track passing convoys for Pistoia, Lucca and Viareggio. While the second track the convoys to Prato Central and Firenze Santa Maria Novella. Only regional trains stop.

Get around

By bus

Cap Autolinee Prato operate five lines:

• LAM blu (blue): Repubblica - Centro Città - Maliseti
• LAM arancio (orange): Stazione Centrale - Piazza Carceri - Piazza San Domenico - Galciana
• LAM rossa (red): Galceti - S. Lucia - Centro Città - Paperino - S. Giorgio - S. Giusto
• LAM-MT viola (purple): Prato - Montemurlo - Montale - Oste - Agliana
• LAM-MT azzurra (light blue): Prato - autostrada A11 - Firenze. This line goes to Firenze via the airport.
• LAM-MT azzurra (light blue): Prato - Poggio a Caiano - Comeana - Seano - Carmignano

See route map for details and timetables. All of the above lines have a stop near the main train station Stazione Centrale and pass through the city centre/historic centre (centro città or centro storico).

By foot

The old centre can easily be discovered by foot.

By taxi

Taxis can be typically found at Piazza Duomo, Piazza Stazione and Via Cavour. You can also call a taxi with this number: [phone].

See

Churches

• 🌍 Duomo of Prato (Cathedral of Santo Stefano) (leaving the Piazza of Comune and leaving along the Corso Mazzoni you reach the large Piazza del Duomo). At the large Piazza del Duomo is the Cathedral of Santo Stefano. A splendid example of Romanesque - Gothic Tuscan, the Cathedral is characterized by clever use of two colors on alberese clear and serpentine green marble from Prato, typical materials of the town until 1400. On the right side of the front is the famous pulpit, built between 1433 and 1438 by Michelozzo and decorated by Donatello. The pulpit was designed specifically for the Exposition of the Holy Girdle of the Virgin Mary, preserved in the chapel inside the Basilica. There are splendid, precious frescoes of the "Dance of Salome" by Filippo Lippi in the Cappella Maggiore. 
• Bishop's Palace. Adjacent to the cathedral is the Bishop's Palace (14th-17th century), part of which is occupied by the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. 

In the territory of Prato, probably since the eighth century, there was a reorganization of the Church with the division into districts that were owned by new churches, the churches (from plebs, the people, namely the community of the baptized), with the baptismal font. The churches listed below are those that were already in medieval churches and are included in the diocese of Prato:

• San Giusto in Piazzanese
• San Lorenzo a Usella
• San Michele a Montecuccoli
• San Pietro a Figline
• San Pietro a Iolo
• San Vito e San Modesto a Sofignano
• Santa Maria a Colonica
• Santa Maria a Filettole
• Sant'Ippolito e San Cassiano
• Sant'Ippolito in Piazzanese

Prato was long known as "City of the Virgin" for the strong Marian devotion that, initially linked to the veneration of the Sacred Belt, then grew with the construction of shrines dedicated to Our Lady (three parishes are today), these are is recently added one dedicated to St. Anthony Mary Pucci.

Monuments

• Fourteenth-century walls. Within these gathered almost all the major historic buildings. The hexagonal circuit of the walls enclosing the original core city of Prato, dotted with ancient tower houses. 

Castello dell'Imperatore

• 🌍 Castello dell'Imperatore (Emperor's Castle). Fortress, also known as Santa Barbara or Swabian castle, can be considered the most important architectural evidence of the 9th-13th centuries. 

Palazzo Pretorio

• Piazza del Comune. Created at the end of the 13th century, the intersection of two main roads of the city. In the central area of the square is the Fountain of Bacchino, which was cast in bronze between 1659 and 1665 by Ferdinando Tacca, during the recognition status of city of Prato. In front of City Hall (located in the square) is also found in white Carrara marble statue dedicated to the merchant of Prato, Francesco Datini Antonio Garella (1896). 
  • 🌍 Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), Piazza del Comune, 2 (overlooking Praetorian Palace), ☎ [phone]. It was created as the seat of the priors, linking different buildings. It houses the Town Hall. In the hall of the Municipal Council are held two frescoes of the 14th century, representing an Allegory of Justice and Majesty. Inside the building are kept several portraits of the Podestà of Prato and the Granduchi of Tuscany. 
  • 🌍 Palazzo Pretorio and Museum (Praetorian Palace), Piazza del Comune, ☎ [phone], [phone] (on weekends). Mon, Wed-Sun 10:30-18:30 (last admission at 18:00), Tue closed. The old Town Hall Lawn, located in the town square opposite of the current Town Hall. Since 1912 it has housed the Museo Civico. After major restoration works the palace and museum opened again in 2013 to the public. €8. (updated Dec 2015)
• 🌍 Datini Palace, Via Ser Lapo Mazzei, 43, ☎ [phone]. It was the home of the famous merchant Francesco di Marco Datini (Prato 1335-1410). He leaves an important witness to himself, made up of records and correspondence, which constitute a substantial fund today filed with the State Archives of Prato, which is housed in the old house. 
• 🌍 Sculpture by Henry Moore (Large Square Form with Cut), Piazza San Marco. This is one of many contemporary works of art that the city hosts. The square-shaped cut of the famous contemporary sculptor Henry Moore. 

Museums

• 🌍 Centro per l'Arte Contemporanea "Luigi Pecci", Viale della Repubblica 277, ☎ [phone]. 
• 🌍 Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. This museum is adjacent to the cathedral and occupies parts of the Bishop's Palace (14th-17th century). 
• 🌍 Museo del Tessuto (Textile museum), Via Puccetti 3, ☎ [phone]. 
• Fondazione Museo e Centro di Documentazione della Deportazione e Resistenza, Via di Cantagallo, 250 (in Figline) (Take bus 12A from Piazza San Domenico. It stops in front of the museum), ☎ [phone]. Museum of Deportation and centre of documentation. 
• Galleria virtuale. art museum of "Images of the sacred" permanent exhibition. 
• Quadreria. collection of paintings held in the Town Hall. 
• Museo di pittura murale. 
• Centro di Scienze Naturali. 

Do

• 🌍 Teatro Metastasio, Via Benedetto Cairoli, 59. Venue for operas, theatre plays and concerts. Built in 1830. (updated Dec 2015)
• 🌍 Teatro Politeama Pratese, Via Garibaldi, 33/35. (updated Dec 2015)
• Corteggio storico di Prato (Festa dell'8 settembre). Annual event in September (updated Dec 2015)

Buy

• 🌍 Biscottificio Antonio Mattei, Via Ricasoli, 20, ☎ [phone]. Mon closed. Has made delicious biscotti di Prato since 1858. (updated Dec 2015)
• There is a large Coop supermarket near Piazza San Marco between the historic city centre and the main train station.

Eat

The original biscotti di Prato

Prato is the wellspring of biscotti di Prato, also called cantuccini, so why not indulge while you are there? They are commonly accompanied by vin santo, a Tuscan dessert wine.

• Ristorante Amalfi, via Strozzi, 207, ☎ [phone], [phone]. (updated Mar 2017)
• Ristorante Pizzeria Da Giovanni - Cavallino Rosso, v. Pistoiese, 26, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• Mangia, v. Ferrucci, 173, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Tu-Su 19:30-24:00. Pizza €6-10. Mains €13-18. (updated Mar 2017)
• Ristorante Pizzeria Il Mercante, v. Traversa il Crocifisso, 47, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-Sa 12:30–15:00, 19:30–23:00. Mains €12-35. (updated Mar 2017)
• 🌍 Ristorante Pizzeria Lo Scoglio, Via Verdi, 42, ☎ [phone]. Daily 19:15-24:00. (updated Dec 2015)
• Fancy King - Ristorante Pizzeria, v. Valentini, 21, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 12:30–15:00, 19:30–24:00; Sa-Su 19:30–24:00. (updated Mar 2017)
• Pizzeria Il Ragno, v. Valentini, 133, ☎ [phone]. Di Adorni Eraldo & C. s.n.c. 
• Ristorante Pizzeria Il Piccolo Borgo, v. Ferro, 390/b, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 12:00–14:30, 19:00–24:00; Sa 19:00–24:00. Pizza €7-13, mains €12-20. (updated Mar 2017)
• Prota Catering, v. Guinizelli, 20, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• Don Chisciotte, Viale Galileo Galilei, 21, ☎ [phone]. 
• Il Pirana, Via Giuseppe Valentini, 110, ☎ [phone]. 
• Pepe Nero, Via Zarini 289, ☎ [phone]. 
• Ristorante Pizzeria Sancho Panza, Via Giuseppe Valentini, 39, ☎ [phone]. 
• Enoteca Ristorante Razmataz, Piazza Mercatale, 107, ☎ [phone]. 
• Il Palazzolo, Via Mazzini Giuseppe, 37, ☎ [phone]. 
• Pizzeria Re Nudo, Via Baldinucci Quirico, 3, ☎ [phone]. Closed Monday. Di Quattrocchi Domenico. 
• La Vecchia Cucina di Soldano, Via Pomeria, 23, ☎ [phone]. (updated Apr 2017)

Drink

• Babaloo, Via Roma, 2/4 (Porta S. Trinita), ☎ [phone]. Ristorante bar pub. (updated Mar 2017)
• Cencio's, Via Strobino 1., ☎ [phone]. 
• Controsenso, Via Dino Saccenti, 31/33 - Prato, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Free admission for members ACSI. Concerts start at 23:00. Closed: Monday and Tuesday. 
• Enoteca Razmataz, Piazza Mercatale 107/108/110, ☎ [phone], [phone] (Cellulare), [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Tu-W 7PM–12:30AM, Th 7PM–1AM, F-Sa 7PM–1:30AM. Tu-W prix fixe menu for €20 with reservation. (updated Mar 2017)
• Exenzia Club, Via Ettore Sambo, 10, ☎ [phone], [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. F-Sa 9PM-3AM. Rock club with concerts of various kinds. Smoking area inside. Free admission for members ACSI. (updated Mar 2017)
• Hop Store, Via Terracini, 11, ☎ [phone]. Beers from Italy, the UK, Belgium and Germany. (updated Mar 2017)
• I Francescaioli, Piazza San Francesco 8, ☎ [phone], [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily 08:00-16:00, 19:00-24:00. Ristorante - pizzeria - pub Mains €8-13, pizza €4.50-8.50. (updated Mar 2017)
• Kellerplatz, Via Migliorati, 7, ☎ [phone]. Concerts and live music. (updated Mar 2017)
• Le Barrique, fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Wine bar: Via G. Mazzoni, 19 - Prato. Aperitif every evening. Wine-tasting. 
• Palasport Bowling Prato, Via F. Ferrucci 309, ☎ [phone]. M-Th 8:30PM–1AM, F 8:30PM–2AM, Sa 3:30PM–2AM, Su 3:30PM–1AM. (updated Mar 2017)
• Pub Mostodolce, Via Dell' Arco, 6., ☎ [phone]. M-W 19:30-02:00, Th-Sa 19:30-02:30. (updated Mar 2017)
• Siddharta, Via Traversa Pistoiese, 83, ☎ [phone]. alternative club (updated Mar 2017)
• Wallace GastroPub, Piazza Mercatale, 24, ☎ [phone]. Su-Th 11:00-02:00, F-Sa 11:00-03:00. (updated Mar 2017)

Sleep

• Charme Hotel, v. Badie, 228, ☎ [phone], [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. di Sogeneral srl. Buffet breakfast included single €70-130, double €90-170. (updated Mar 2017)
• Hotel Trendy, v. Pistoiese, 833, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 
• Wall Art Hotel : Viale della Repubblica, 4/6/8. Tel: [phone], fax: [phone].
• B & B Il Bagnolo :v. Labriola, 174. Tel: [phone], fax: [phone], email: [e-mail] .
• Albergo Giardino :v. Magnolfi, 4. Tel: [phone], fax: [phone], email: [e-mail] .
• Albergo "Il Giglio", Piazza S. Marco, 14, ☎ [phone]. 
• Albergo "Le Fontanelle", Traversa Il Crocifisso, 6, ☎ [phone]. 
• Art Hotel, Viale Della Repubblica, 272, ☎ [phone]. 
• Datini Hotel, Viale Marconi Guglielmo, 80, ☎ [phone]. 
• Flora Hotel : Via Cairoli Benedetto, 31. Tel: [phone], email: [e-mail] .
• Golf Residence di Residence Golf Hotel S.R.L.: Traversa Il Crocifisso, 24/N. Tel: [phone].
• Hotel President, Via Simintendi Arrigo, 20, ☎ [phone]. 
• Hotel San Marco, Piazza S. Marco, 48, ☎ [phone]. single €60-67, double €85-90, triple €99. (updated Mar 2017)
• Hotel Toscana Hotel, Piazza Ciardi Giovanni, 3, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 

Go next

• Florence, right next door, is the obvious place for day trips
• The hill town of Fiesole is another neighbour of Florence, with its own Etruscan-to-now history and charm.
• Lucca — Puccini's birthplace; beautiful old town surrounded by ancient walls
• Pisa — for the world famous Leaning Tower and the rest of the Campo dei Miracoli
• Siena, a Medieval city with a unique character, history and great artistic heritage