Prato in Italy is one of the most famous cities in the province of Tuscany. Its popularity among tourists is explained not only by interesting historical sights, but also by the opportunity to make a successful shopping by buying branded clothes with the inscription Made in Italy at a cheap price.
History of the city
The city was founded by the Etruscan tribes back in 1000 BC. e., but 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 verse 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 plants were built in the city, which is why it was called the center of the "woolen empire" of Italy. Later, during the industrial revolution, it becomes known as a city with a booming textile industry, the history of which is narrated by an exposition in the local Textile Museum.
V 14 v. Prato was surrounded by a fortress wall, which is stillpreserved and surrounds the "Old Town". In 16 st. Prato suffered during the war and was devastated by the mercenaries of G. Medici. He was able to regain his former power only in the 19th century.
Sights and historical sites
Virtually all surviving historical monuments are located in the city center and reflect its life that existed in the Middle Ages and later.
Main attractions of Prato (Italy):
- the oldest squares of San Marco and del Comune (13th c.);
- The Praetors' Palace is one of the most beautiful buildings in the country;
- castles (Imperial, Swabian) - also built in the 13th century;
- Basilica of Our Lady, located near the city jail;
- Cathedral and Church of St. Francis, etc. (center map below).
City squares, 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 the 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 small residents of the city saw the Mother of God come to life, descended from the drawing. In addition, other miraculous omens occurred during this period, and the believers of the city began to revere the image on the wall.
According to the decision of the authorities, the construction of the basilica began on this site, and the construction was entrusted to the famous architect J. DaSangallo, who was greatly revered by Lorenzo de' Medici. 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 temple are made in the Renaissance style, the stained-glass windows were made according to the sketches of D. Ghirlandaio in 1491. But the exterior design 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 the Sicilian master R. da Lentini in 1237-1248. The castle-fortress has the shape of a square, at its corners there are large square towers with battlements in the form of a dovetail (Ghibelline), 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 pentagon, the higher ones on the northern and western sides were previously used as guard posts. According to historians, the high towers were the remains of the ancient Alberti fortress.
Palazzo Pretorio
The Praetor's Palace, located on Piazza del Comune, is considered by citizens and tourists to be the most beautiful public building in Italy. Previously, there were 3 houses on this site, which in the 13-14 centuries. were combined into one complex, where they placed the magistracy, the prison and the local government. This can be seen on the walls, composed of materials of various colors and textures. The oldest part ison the right and consists of a tower 13 st.
At the beginning of the 20th century. restoration work was carried out and the city museum was opened in the Praetor Palace. Paintings and sculptures from the Middle Ages to the 19th century are exhibited here.
St. Francis Church
Chiesa di San Francesco is located on the Prato square of the same name (Italy), which is located southwest of the Cathedral (Piazza del Duomo). The church was erected by Franciscan monks near the monastery, from 1281 to 1331. from brick. At that time, it was the first brick (not stone) building in the city.
The church has an original façade clad in stripes of white limestone and green serpentine. At the bottom is a portal depicting the Immaculate Virgin Mary. At the top, the building has a triangular tympanum, which was completed in the 15th century. and decorated with a relief "Stigmata of St. Francis" (author A. dela Robbia). The bell tower was erected in 1799-1801. designed by A. Benini.
The interior of the Church of St. Francis has a nave with three chapels in the Gothic style, which was later remade 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, since it was built in the 10th century. According to experts, the parish church has existed on this site since the 5th century
The cathedral was rebuilt many times during the 10th-15th century, its structure changed, the bell tower was erected (12th century), the upper part of the cathedral was built on - the bell tower in 1356. Due to the increase in the flow of pilgrims who came from the whole country to look at the local relic - the belt of the Virgin (it has been here since 1141), the church had to be expanded. A transept was added to it, presumably made by G. Pisano. Later, the houses in front of the facade were demolished and a large square was set up where local residents gathered on holidays.
Museum of Modern Art
The most modern landmark of Prato is the Center for Contemporary Art, opened in 1988, built with the money of the industrialist E. Piezzo. It also bears the name Centro per l'Arte Contemporanea Luigi Pecci in his honor. It was rebuilt in 2016 by Rotterdam-based architect Maurice Niot, who gave it a space-dish-like shape.
Exposition area is 4 thousand square meters. m., the purpose of his exhibitions is to demonstrate the bold contemporary research of artists since the 1960s. It also hosts multimedia shows, lectures and performances.
Shopping in Prato
Historically, this city has been considered a location area for centuriesproduction of the textile industry. However, in the 20th century Italian factories went bankrupt and were bought out by the Chinese, although the stylists and financial workers are still Italians.
Many tourists and entrepreneurs in recent years come to Prato (Italy) for clothes. Factories are located here on a large territory, where the Chinese sew clothes that are cheaper compared to other cities in the country. Due to the location, all products made here are considered Made in Italy and are of the highest quality.
