Prato
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 27 October 2023
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The city of Prato is the capital city of the Province of Prato with a population of 194,590 inhabitants.
Standing at an elevation of 65 metres above sea level, it covers a total area of 97 km² and lies 20 kilometres north west of Florence, the regional capital of Tuscany. Prato's population makes it the second biggest city in Tuscany, only behind close neighbour Florence. Historically a wealthy city, Prato's success has traditionally come from the textiles industry. |
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Etruscan origins of Prato
The Italian word "prato" has various English translations including lawn, pasture or meadow for example and it is from here that modern Prato takes its name: the meadow area that the city was built upon. A settlement has existed here since Etruscan times but it is to the medieval and Renaissance periods that Prato owes the majority of its sights that we can still see today.
Proximity to Florence
You could be forgiven if you feel a little confused as you approach Prato; the proximity of such a large city as Florence means you're hardly out of its suburbs when you reach the outskirts of Prato and this can cause a few glances at the map just to double-check you're actually going to a different city.
The River Bisenzio edges the city centre to its east and north; there are several bridges that cross the river with the most attractive being the Ponte Mercatale. As you cross the bridge you can get an idea of how it was defended historically by its city walls. Pass under the Porta Mercatale city gate and you find yourself in a bustling square called Piazza Mercatale. If you're driving, this is a good place to park the car and start to discover the city on foot.
The River Bisenzio edges the city centre to its east and north; there are several bridges that cross the river with the most attractive being the Ponte Mercatale. As you cross the bridge you can get an idea of how it was defended historically by its city walls. Pass under the Porta Mercatale city gate and you find yourself in a bustling square called Piazza Mercatale. If you're driving, this is a good place to park the car and start to discover the city on foot.
Sightseeing Prato: around Piazza Santa Maria delle Carceri
From Piazza Mercatale it's a 5 minute walk (500 metres) to the main sightseeing area of Prato: Piazza Santa Maria delle Carceri. This expansive square is home to the city's castle, the 13th century Castello dell'Imperatore which you can walk all the way round, through the middle or even up on its ramparts to get some of the best views of the city.
On the same square you'll find one of the most important churches in the city, the Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Carceri, built in the 15th century. Just a few steps south west of the Piazza lies another important church: the 13th century Chiesa di San Francesco with its excellent collection of medieval frescoes.
On the same square you'll find one of the most important churches in the city, the Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Carceri, built in the 15th century. Just a few steps south west of the Piazza lies another important church: the 13th century Chiesa di San Francesco with its excellent collection of medieval frescoes.
Prato Cathedral
Heading away from Piazza San Francesco on to the busy shopping street Via Ricasoli, you'll eventually come to Piazza del Comune, home of the Palazzo Pretorio which houses the art museum of the same name. After the Piazza del Comune the same street changes name to Via Mazzoni; continue along here and you shortly reach the star attraction of Prato, the Duomo.
Otherwise known as the Cattedrale di Santo Stefano or simply Prato Cathedral, the first thing you notice about the structure is its unique Pisan-Romanesque facade. The unmistakable feature here is the pulpit, built on the outside of the church, which was added for ceremonial purposes. The real magic of the Cathedral lies within its walls though, with its famous frescoes by Filippo Lippi. You can further explore the historical treasures of the Cathedral at the adjoining Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.
On your journeys around the city you will almost certainly notice a certain sweet snack on display in the shops; the famous Cantucci almond biscuits originate from Prato and are often enjoyed with the Vin Santo dessert wine.
Otherwise known as the Cattedrale di Santo Stefano or simply Prato Cathedral, the first thing you notice about the structure is its unique Pisan-Romanesque facade. The unmistakable feature here is the pulpit, built on the outside of the church, which was added for ceremonial purposes. The real magic of the Cathedral lies within its walls though, with its famous frescoes by Filippo Lippi. You can further explore the historical treasures of the Cathedral at the adjoining Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.
On your journeys around the city you will almost certainly notice a certain sweet snack on display in the shops; the famous Cantucci almond biscuits originate from Prato and are often enjoyed with the Vin Santo dessert wine.
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Province: Prato
Region: Tuscany Population: 201,410 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2022) Size: 97 km² Top sights: Prato Cathedral, Santa Maria delle Carceri Close by: Florence, Pistoia, Medici Villas and Gardens, Lucca Recommended accommodation: Hotel Giardino |
Prato Travel
There are two train stations in Prato, both convenient for the city centre and both on the same line. Porta Serraglio station is at the northern edge of the city centre, a 5 minute walk (350 metres) from Piazza del Duomo. The other station, Prato Centrale, is further from the city centre but if you get off here you can walk along the river to Ponte Mercatale and view the city walls before entering the centre.
From Stazione Prato Centrale it's just a 20 minute train journey to the centre of Florence (Santa Maria Novella), or heading in the opposite direction, the same journey time to the city of Pistoia, stopping along the way at Stazione Porta Serraglio (3 minutes). There are also faster trains to Pistoia which take 13 minutes and continue to the coast, stopping at Lucca (59 minutes) before reaching Viareggio (1 hour 19 minutes).
The most convenient airport for Prato is Florence Airport which is just a 15 minute drive away (13 km), while Tuscany's other major airport, Pisa Airport, is around an hour away (88 km).
Places to visit nearby Prato include the two equidistant cities to its east and west: Florence and Pistoia, while heading a short distance south you come to the town of Carmignano, centre of the eponymous wine region. In the area around Carmignano there are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Medici Villas of Poggio a Caiano and La Ferdinanda in Artimino.
From Stazione Prato Centrale it's just a 20 minute train journey to the centre of Florence (Santa Maria Novella), or heading in the opposite direction, the same journey time to the city of Pistoia, stopping along the way at Stazione Porta Serraglio (3 minutes). There are also faster trains to Pistoia which take 13 minutes and continue to the coast, stopping at Lucca (59 minutes) before reaching Viareggio (1 hour 19 minutes).
The most convenient airport for Prato is Florence Airport which is just a 15 minute drive away (13 km), while Tuscany's other major airport, Pisa Airport, is around an hour away (88 km).
Places to visit nearby Prato include the two equidistant cities to its east and west: Florence and Pistoia, while heading a short distance south you come to the town of Carmignano, centre of the eponymous wine region. In the area around Carmignano there are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Medici Villas of Poggio a Caiano and La Ferdinanda in Artimino.
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Public transport: two central train stations, local buses
By car: Florence - 38 mins (25 km), Pisa - 1 hour (86 km) |
Fly to: Florence Airport - 16 minutes by car (13 km)
By train: Florence - 20 minutes, Pistoia - 20 minutes |
