ours itineraries at:
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A few kilometres from Florence is Prato,
an exceptionally industrious city where history, art and
economy blend harmoniously. Built on a Longobard settlement
it extended and developed in the Middle Ages around the
Pieve and Castello. Today, the historical centre with its
characteristic "case-torri" (tower houses) is
still enclosed by the 14th century walls. The city of Prato
is very important for the production and commerce of textiles
and was the birthplace of Francesco Marco Datini, a merchant
banker, father of "lettera di cambio"
Unfortunately with the loss of independence in 1351 both
the economy and industry suffered a decline which lasted
until the 18th century, and it was not until the end of
the century that the textile industry picked up and with
this new wealth the city building estates were partially
restored.
Prato saw an unrivalled growth in the 20th century and
in 1992 became a provincial capital.
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Meeting with guide and visit to:
-Castello dell'Imperatore, it is the only example of Swabian
architecture in north- central Italy. It was built in
1240 as the Tuscan see of the Vicar of Federico II (admission
fee)
-Cassero Medievale, an elevated path on which you can still
walk today, joined the castle to the city walls (admission
fee)
-Basilica Santa Maria delle Carceri, very interesting Renaissance
temple laid out in the shape of a Greek cross, ordered
by Lorenzo Il Magnifico and designed by Giuliano da Sangallo.
Glazed earthenware by Andrea del Robbia decorate the inside
-Cathedral Santo Stefano, this Romanesque- Gothic cathedral
is famous for the outer pulpit by Donatello and Michelozzo.
It also houses frescoes by Agnolo Gaddi, Paolo Uccelli
and Filippo Lippi. The "Cappella della Sacra Cintola" (The
chapel of the sacred belt) deserves mention as it houses
the precious Marian relics
-Piazza del Comune, a fine square where you can admire
fine Medieval buildings : the Town Hall and the Palazzo
Pretorio
-Palazzo Datini, this fine building is a rare example of
a late 14th century residence which is frescoed on the
outside. It was built for the merchant Francesco Dantini,
native of Prato |
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Prato
