Things to do 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 Je…
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Antonio Mattei
Practically every tourist shop in Florence sells them; they are dunked in Vin Santo as sweet dolci world-wide and have become synonymous with Tuscany at large. Yet it is in Prato that these rock-hard, seriously crunchy rusk-like biscuits studded with almonds were cooked up. Known around the world, sure, but the Real McCoy only comes in a thick paper, cobalt-blue bag, tied with string and embossed with the mark of its maker: Antonio Mattei. Created by the artisan biscuit maker in 1858, biscotti di Prato or cantucci (as they are also known) are still baked up on the very spot where they were born.
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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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Cibbé
Wine bottles fill the shelves and tables are marble-topped at this no-frills osteria tucked behind a box-hedge terrace. Hailed by Slow Food as a gatekeeper of local culinary custom, Cibbé is the place to try bozza di Prato (a round unsalted bread loaf typical to Prato) and mortadella di Prato (smoked pork salami spiced with black pepper corns, nutmeg, coriander and garlic).
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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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Trattoria Soldano
Prices are dirt-cheap and dishes dead simple at this long-standing trattoria on a tatty street corner midway between the city walls and the train station. Mutton is the meat to try and homemade desserts conjured up by Mama and daughter in the kitchen are heaven.
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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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Fashion Art
Aspiring designers might want to sign up for a fashion workshop or 10-day to two-month course at Fashion Art, a fashion design school focusing on all aspects of the fashion industry design including textile technology, marketing, trend boards and so on.
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Caffè delle Logge
Sprawled in the shade beneath the loggia on Prato's loveliest fountain-tinkling squares, this café-lounge and cocktail bar is perfect any time. Inside, a white moulded ceiling ensnares 1950s seating, flatscreen TV and boldly painted walls.
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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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Luca Mannori
A sweet Prato name to know is Luca Mannori, a world-renowned pastry, confectionery and chocolate chef whose torta sette veli (tart of the seven veils) will make the hardest of hearts swoon.
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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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Festival delle Colline
Concert series of world music, late June to late July, in various locations around Prato and 10km south in Poggio a Caiano.
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