Pistoia

Pistoia is a city in the Tuscany region of Italy. It is the capital of the province of Pistoia. The city is about  west and north of Florence.

 History 
Pistoria, the old Latin name of Pistoia, was a Gallic, Ligurian and Etruscan city. After the city became a Roman colony in the 6th century BC, it was a place for activities or trades. Near the end of the 6th century, the city was captured by troops of the Lombardic king. The city did very well under the control of the Lombards. In 1177, Pistoia chose to become a free commune. In the following years, it became an important political centre. It built walls and several public and religious buildings.

In 1254 Pistoia was captured by troops from Florentine. Pistoia stayed a Florentine city except for few years in the 14th century, when Castruccio Castracani captured it for Lucca. It was annexed to (made a part of) Florence in 1530. During the 14th century Ormanno Tedici was one of the Lords of the city.

Dante mentioned the town in his Divina Commedia. Michelangelo called the people of Pistoia the "enemies of heaven".

 Notable features 
 Duomo Square and Bishops' Palace 
The large Piazza del Duomo is connected near to other famous buildings, for example the  Palazzo del Comune and the Palazzo del Podestà. In July, the Giostra dell'Orso ("Bear Joust") takes place in the square. At the joust, horsemen try to strike a target held by a dummy shaped like a bear. The 14th century Baptistry, in Gothic style is also in the square.

The Palazzo dei Vescovi ("Bishops' Palace") includes a loggia in gothic style.
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 Other important buildings 
 Church of the Madonna dell'Umiltà (1509), finished by Giovanni Vasari with a high cupola.
 Church of San Bartolomeo in Pantano (12th century).
 The Romanesque church of San Giovanni Fuoricivitas (12th-14th century).
 The Monument in Honour of Brazilians (Soldiers and Pilots) killed in action on Italian Campaign (World War II)
 Church of San Domenico
 Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie
 Church of San Pietro Maggiore
 Church of San Paolo
 Church of 'La Vergine"
 the Baroque church of Santissima Annunziata, famous for its Chiostro dei Morti ("Dead's Cloister").
 "Ospedale del Ceppo" ("del Ceppo Hospital") '(13th century).
 The 14th century walls. These had originally four gates: Porta al Borgo, Porta San Marco, Porta Carratica and Porta Lucchese. All were destroyed at the beginning of the 20th century.
 The Medici Fortress of Santa Barbara, built in the 16th century by the Florentines.
 The ancient Pieve San Michele in Groppoli, in the neighbourhood of the city.

 Famous people born in Pistoia 
 Enrico Betti
 Mauro Bolognini
 Licio Gelli
 Cino da Pistoia
 Ippolito Desideri
 Pope Clement IX
 Christian Orlandi
 Marino Marini
 Filippo Pacini

 Sisters towns 
Pistoia is twinned with:
 , Pau, since 1975

Other websites
 Comune di Pistoia 
 Pistoia Tourist Consortium: lots of information and city map download
 Virtual Tour of the City 

Category:Cities in Tuscany
Category:Capital cities in Italy
Category:Settlements in Pistoia