Sights in Prato
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Duomo
At first glance Prato's 12th-century Duomo, with its stark exterior of white-and-green marble bands, solitary terracotta lunette by Andrea della Robbia and magnificent Filippo Lippi frescoes behind the cathedral's high altar, appears a typical Tuscan affair. But look closer and the Pulpito della Sacra Cintola to the right of the western entrance pops into vision. This highly unusual exterior pulpit was grafted on to the outside of the cathedral to display the Virgin Mary's sacra cintola (sacred girdle) five times a year (Easter, 1 May, 15 August, 8 September and 25 December).
The girdle, so the story goes, was given by the Virgin to St Thomas, and brought to Prato from…
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Museum of Mural Painting
The Museum of Mural Painting, within the Chiesa di San Domenico, houses a collection of largely Tuscan paintings. Artists represented include Filippo Lippi, Paolo Uccello and Bernardo Daddi with his touchingly naive polyptych of the miracle of the Virgin's girdle. Enjoy too the 14th- to 17th-century frescoes and graffiti.
A combined ticket, bought at any of the three sites, gives entry to the Museo di Pittura Murale, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and Castello dell'Imperatore.
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Centro per l'Arte Contemporanea Luigi Pecci
South of the old city, the Centro per l'Arte Contemporanea Luigi Pecci is devoted to contemporary art. Temporary exhibitions and performances complement its permanent collection which stars monumental creations by international artists such as Sol LeWitt, Jan Fabre and Julien Opie. Designed by architects Sarteanesi and Bacchi, the building alone is a work of art - two walls rotate rendering the exhibition space in a constant state of flux.
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Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
View the original panels of the pulpit at Duomo, adorned with playful putti (winsome cherubs) designed by Donatello and Michelozzo in the 1430s, in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo where paintings by Filippo Lippi, Caravaggio, Bellini and Santi di Tito hang.
A combined ticket, bought at any of the three sites, gives entry to the Museo di Pittura Murale, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and Castello dell'Imperatore.
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Castello dell'Imperatore
Castello dell'Imperatore, Prato's castle, was built in the 13th century by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. It's an interesting enough example of military architecture but, bare inside, is only really worth a visit using a combined ticket.
A combined ticket, bought at any of the three sites, gives entry to the Museo di Pittura Murale, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and Castello dell'Imperatore.
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Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Carceri
Built by Giuliano da Sangallo towards the end of the 15th century, the high, graceful interior of the Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Carceri was a prototype for many a Tuscan Renaissance church. The glazed terracotta frieze and, above it, medallions of the Evangelists are by Andrea della Robbia and his team.
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Textile Museum
Prato's Textile Museum devotes itself to textiles through the ages. It highlights the achievements of the local cloth industry, but you'll also find examples of textiles (some from as early as the 3rd century) from Italy and Europe, and as far a field as India, China and the Americas.
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Villa di Poggia a Caiano
Another Medici getaway, the sumptuously decorated Villa di Poggia a Caiano, 10km south of Prato in Poggia a Caiano, showcases a fine collection of 16th- to 18th-century still lifes in its Museo della Natura Morta inside and magnificent sprawling gardens out.
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Palazzo Pretorio
One day the impressive bulk of Palazzo Pretorio, under renovation for years, will house again the city's Museo Civico. Until then, the highlights of its collection can be found in Prato's other museums.
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Forma Squadrata con Taglio sculpture
Prato's most striking piece of modern art is Henry Moore's Forma Squadrata con Taglio sculpture (Cleft Square), an eye-catching white monolith smack bang in the middle of Piazza San Marco.
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Cassero
Down the road from Castello dell'Imperatore, sneak along the Cassero, a medieval covered passageway that originally allowed access from the castle to the city walls.
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Museo della Natura Morta
The Museo della Natura Morta showcases a fine collection of 16th- to 18th-century still lifes inside and magnificent sprawling gardens out.
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