Prato Attractions

This formidable battlemented stronghold, built by the Emperor Frederick II between 1237 and 1248 on the road to the south of Italy from the north, can be compared with his Castel del Monte in Apulia. It incorporates two older (10th century) towers.

The Palazzo Datini, to the south of the Piazza del Comune, was the residence of the merchant and banker Francesco di Marco Datini (1330-1410), one of the wealthiest men of his day. (See Iris Origo's book, "The Merchant of Prato".) After Datini's death the outside of the house was covered with frescoes depicting scenes from his life, now represented only by scanty remains of the sinópie (the artist's preliminary sketches).

Near the village of Artimino is the beautiful Villa Médici dell'Artimino, built for Grand Duke Ferdinand I in the late 16th century.

In the 15th century cloister is the entrance to the Museo di Pittura Murale (Museum of Wall-Painting), which contains frescoes and sinópie (preliminary sketches for frescoes) of the 13th to 17th century. Together with displays illustrating the technique of fresco-painting and the various methods of restoration.

Beyond Poggio a Caiano, on the edge of the hills, is the village of Artimino, still surrounded by medieval walls. Features of interest are the Romanesque Church of San Leonardo and the Etruscan cemetery which has been excavated here since 1970.

Opposite the Palazzo Pretorio in Prato is the Palazzo Comunale which was restored in the 19th century.

In the center of the old town is the Palazzo Pretorio (formerly the Palazzo Comunale), built in the mid 14th century and incorporating a number of 13th century houses and towers. The complex was acquired by the Capitano del Pópolo in 1284 to provide accommodation for the civic administration. The palazzo is of severe aspect, with an old and irregular facade, a balcony and a staircase leading up to the entrance. The battlements and the small belfry were added in the 16th century.

The Church of San Doménico was built between 1283 and 1322; the facade was left unfinished. Note the richly decorated doorway on the north side. The church contains a large painted Crucifix of about 1400.

From the Piazza del Comune, Via Ricasoli runs south to the Piazza San Francesco on the left side of which is the 13th century church of San Francesco. In the beautiful cloister to the right of the church we find the entrance to the chapter-house, which has fine wall paintings of the school of Giotto (Gerini, 14th century).

With Prato being one of the Italy's main textile centers, the Textile Museum is worth a visit. The collection features velvet, figure textiles, Perugia tablecloths, damasks, and lampas from the 15th to 19th century.