Prato in Italy is one of the most famous cities in the province of Tuscany. Its popularity with tourists is explained not only by interesting historical sights, but also by the opportunity to make a successful shopping trip by buying branded clothing with the words Made in Italy at a cheap price.
History of the city
The city was founded by Etruscan tribes as early as 1 thousand BC. e., however, was first mentioned in ancient manuscripts only in the 10th century. Starting from the 13th century, Prato (Italy) has already become one of the most important political centers of the country, having local self-government. However, in Article 14 was annexed to the city of Florence and became its usual suburb, having lost all its former advantages.
Even in the Middle Ages, wool processing facilities were built in the city, which is why it became known as the center of the "wool empire" of Italy. Later, during the period of the industrial revolution, it becomes known as a city with a booming textile industry, whose history is narrated by an exposition at the local Textile Museum.
In the 14th art. Prato was surrounded by a fortress wall, which is still preserved and surrounds the "Old Town". In the 16th Art. Prato suffered during the war and was ravaged by mercenaries J. Medici. He was able to regain his former power only in the 19th century.
Sights and historical places
Almost all preserved historical monuments are located in the city center and reflect its life that existed in the Middle Ages and later times.
The main attractions of Prato (Italy):
- the oldest squares of San Marco and del Commune (13th c.);
- Praetor's Palace - one of the most beautiful buildings in the country;
- castles (Imperial, Swabian) - also built in the 13th century;
- the Basilica of Our Lady, located near the city prison;
- Cathedral and Church of St. Francis et al. (map of the center below).
City square, basilica
The central square of Prato (Italy) is named after Santa Maria delle Carceri (piazza Santa Maria delle Carceri), it houses the city prison and the Basilica of Our Lady. According to legend, the history of the construction of the church began with a drawing of the Mother of God with a baby painted on the stone wall of the prison. According to legend, in 1484, one of the little inhabitants of the city saw the revived Mother of God descending from the drawing. In addition, other wonderful omens took place during this period, and believers in the cities began to read the image on the wall.
By decision of the authorities, the construction of the basilica began on this site, and the construction was entrusted to the famous architect J. Da Sangallo, whom Lorenzo de Medici very much respected. The building was built in 1486-1497. in the spirit of Brunelleschi and had a Greek cross in the shape of the base. The interiors inside the church are made in the style of the Renaissance, the stained-glass windows were made according to the sketches of D. Ghirlandaio in 1491. But the exterior decoration of the basilica was suspended in 1506.
Imperial castle
Another attraction of the city of Prato in Italy (photo below) is the Imperial Castle, built by decree of Emperor Frederick the 2nd. This building represents Swabian architecture and was built by a master from Sicily R. da Lentini in 1237-1248. The castle-fortress has the shape of a square, in the corners of it there are large square towers with prongs in the shape of a dovetail (Gibelle), smaller ones are located in the middle of each wall.
The walls are made of white limestone. The towers on the eastern and southern sides have the shape of a 5-gon, the higher on the northern and western ones - they used to be used as guard posts. According to historians, high towers were the remains of the ancient Alberti fortress.
Palazzo Pretorio
The Praetor Palace, located on Piazza del Comune, is considered by citizens and tourists as the most beautiful public building in Italy. Previously, there were 3 houses on this site, which were in the 13-14 centuries. were combined into one complex, where they placed the magistracy, prison and local government. This can be seen on the walls, made of materials of different colors and textures. The most ancient part is on the right and consists of a tower of 13 tbsp.
At the beginning of the 20th century restoration work was carried out and the city museum opened in the Praetor Palace. Paintings and sculptures from the Middle Ages to the 19th century are exhibited here.
Church of St. Francis
Chiesa di San Francesco is located in the square of the same name Prato (Italy), which is located southwest of the Cathedral (Piazza del Duomo). The church was erected by Franciscan monks near the cloister, from 1281 to 1331. from a brick. In those days, it was the first brick (rather than stone) building in the city.
The church is decorated with an original facade, lined with strips consisting of white limestone and green serpentine. Below is a portal that depicts the Immaculate Virgin Mary. At the top of the building is a triangular tympanum, which was completed in the 15th century. and is decorated with the relief "Stigmata of St. Francis" (author A. case Robbia). The bell tower was erected in 1799-1801. according to the project of A. Benini.
The interior of the church of St. Francis has a nave with three chapels in the Gothic style, which was later redone in the Neo-Gothic style in the early 20th century. The surviving antiquities are the tombstone of J. Ingirimi (1460s), the main altar with a wooden crucifix of the 14th century. Behind him is another tombstone - Fr. Datini, covered with white marble slab (early 15th century).
Cathedral
The building of the Duomo di Prato Cathedral is located on the Cathedral Square of the city of Prato (Italy) and bears the name of St. Stephen, is considered the oldest religious building in the city, because it was built in the 10th century. According to experts, the parish church in this place existed since the 5th Art.
The cathedral was rebuilt many times over the 10-15th century, its structure was changing, a bell tower was built (12th century), the upper part of the cathedral was built - the bell tower in 1356. Due to the increased flow of pilgrims who came from all over the country to look at the local relic - the belt of the Virgin (located here since 1141), the church had to be expanded. A transept, allegedly made by J. Pisano, was attached to it. Later, the houses in front of the facade were demolished and a large area was built, where locals gathered on holidays.
Modern Art Museum
The most modern attraction of Prato is the Center for Contemporary Art, opened in 1988, built with the money of industrialist E. Piazzo. In his honor, he bears the name Centro per l'Arte Contemporanea Luigi Pecci. It was rebuilt in 2016 according to the project of the architect from Rotterdam, Maurice Nio, who endowed it with a shape similar to a space plate.
The exposition area is 4 thousand square meters. m., the purpose of his exhibitions is to demonstrate the bold modern research of artists, starting in the 1960s. It also hosts multimedia shows, lectures and performances.
Shopping in Prato
Historically, this city has been considered the location zone of textile industry for more than a century. However, in the 20th century. Italian factories went bankrupt and were bought by the Chinese, although Italians are still stylists and financial workers.
Many tourists and entrepreneurs in recent years come for clothes in Prato (Italy). On a large territory, factories are located here, where the Chinese sew clothes, cheaper than other cities in the country. Due to its location, all products that are sewn here are considered to be made in Italy and are of high quality.