The province of Pistoia is located in inland Tuscany, in the heart of the stunning countryside that has attracted visitors to the region for many years. An ideal destination for those who want to explore Tuscan villages and natural scenery without spending too much time in large and busy cities, Pistoia is busy all year round with tourists thank to the skiing resorts, such as Abetone and Doganaccia on the region's highest peaks.
The same slopes that attract skiers in the winter months are just as popular with walkers and even mountain bikers once spring and summer arrives. The area, known locally as the Svizzera Pesciatina, is one of the most popular routes for walkers; an excellent tarmac path takes you between a series of villages, each with their own fortified castle.
Following the path from the village of Pietrabuona to Vellano will take experienced walkers about five days, but there are plenty of shelters en route, while many resourceful villagers are also happy to help out with accommodation for walkers. South of the highest mountains is the Padule di Fucecchio, an area of marshland, which is well known for its impressive variety of wildlife, including nearly 200 species of birds.
Throughout these rural areas are many typical Tuscan villages, each with their own picturesque charm, but families should make sure they call in at the small town of Collidi, where Carlo Lorenzini wrote The Adventures of Pinocchio. The community is rightly proud of their famous son and it is worth spending some time exploring the Parco di Pinocchio, which tells the story through a series of specially created gardens and sculptures.
The capital of the province, also named Pistoia, is an attractive, yet small medieval town, with a picturesque old town and an impressive collection of historic churches and chapels. The central Piazza del Duomo is dominated by the 11th century cathedral, which in turn is home to one of the largest silver altars in the world, consisting of over 600 separate figures and weighing nearly one ton. Other attractions include the pretty Palazzo dei Vescovi or Bishop's Palace, decorated with painted frescoes and the St James' Chapel, which was mentioned in Dante's Divine Comedy.
Parts of Pistoia's medieval fortifications are still standing today, including stretches of the 14th century walls and the fortress of Santa Barbara. Or you could simply spend a pleasant few hours wandering the narrow, winding streets of Pistoia's old town, stumbling across hidden courtyards and piazzas.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Pistoia? Then below is a selection of Apartments in Pistoia and villas in Pistoia that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
