26Oct 0 Province of Pistoia Posted By: Anna Maria Baldini Provinces of Tuscany, Towns in the Province of Pistoia, Tuscany, Tuscany travel guide Province of Pistoia Montecatini Terme in the Province of Pistoia, Tuscany Sights of the Province of Pistoia Pistoia, the city from which the province takes its name, is probably the principal not-to-be-missed sight in the province and yet it is unjustly neglected by visitors to Tuscany. Pistoia is just 40 km from Florence and from Lucca. More about Pistoia. The thermal baths of Montecatini and Monsummano are popular spa resorts in the Province of Pistoia and well worth a visit for hot springs enthusiasts. Fucecchio Marshes of the Valdinievole area of the Provincia di Pistoia. At 1800 hectares, the Fucecchio Marshes are the largest inland marsh in all of Italy. The Marsh is now a protected nature reserve where you can spot up to 200 species of migratory birds in the winter and spring months, including large numbers of herons which nest here. Svizzera Pesciatina is the nickname for a stretch of the hilly country in the Valleriana area of the Province of Pistoia, the location of the “dieci castella”, a string of very attractive mediaeval villages in the hills near Pescia. Their names are Pietrabuona, Fibbialla, Aramo, Medicina, San Quirico, Castelvecchio, Sorana, Pietrabuona, Vellano and Valleriana, and they can be visited by car or even by hiking. The surrounding verdant valleys make the Svizzera Pesciatina an ideal location for a restful excursion, especially during the hot days of summer. Parco di Pinocchio founded to celebrate the fame of Pinocchio and very popular among families with young children. The Biblioteca Capitolare of Pescia is a fine baroque library attached to the duomo of the town of Pescia. More about Biblioteca Capitolare of Pescia. Stiappa, a dependency of Pescia and part of Svizzera Pesciatina Festivals and events in the Province of Pistoia The Giostra dell’Orso is the most interesting, exciting and famous annual event in the Province of Pistoia. This festival takes place in the Piazza del Duomo of Pistoia on the 25 July in honour St. James, patron saint of Pistoia. The Giostra dell’Orso is a re-creation of two different events in Pistoia’s history. One was a horse race in honor of Sant’Jacopo, that was called the Palio, because, as for the more famous Palio of Siena, the prize was a piece of painted cloth known as a palio. The other event was a mention in the 1660’s of a jousting match with a bear. Bears are not found in Tuscany now but they were abundant in late mediaeval times and the bear is the heraldic beast of Pistoia. During the Giostra dell’Orso of Pistoia, three knights from each of the four quarters of Pistoia charge a swinging target. The joust starts at 9 pm but there are parades and other displays throughout the day, starting with Mass at about 10 am. For other important festivals in Tuscany, click here. Vacation accommodation in the Province of Pistoia. Giostra dell’Orso in Pistoia Municipalities (comuni) in the Province of Pistoia Abetone Agliana Buggiano Chiesina Uzzanese Cutigliano Lamporecchio Larciano Marliana Massa e Cozzile Monsummano Terme Montale Montecatini Terme Pescia Pieve a Nievole Pistoia Piteglio Ponte Buggianese Quarrata Sambuca Pistoiese San Marcello Pistoiese Serravalle Pistoiese Uzzano Vacation accommodation in the Province of Pistoia. Here are some similar topics: Pistoia Pistoia is the capital of the Province of Pistoia in Tuscany and is located equidistant between Lucca and Florence. Despite its attractions, Pistoia seems to be unjustly neglected by visitors to this part of Tuscany.… Read More » Montecatini Terme Montecatini Terme and its thermal resorts are located in the Valdinievole which is also the area of some small but attractive art towns such as Pescia and Monsummano Terme. The Valdinievole forms a small but significant part of the Province… Read More » Pescia The town of Pescia is a charming place that is well worth a brief visit if you are in the area. Pescia is situated in the Province of Pistoia, very near the ancient border separating the Republics of Florence and… Read More » Province of Prato The Province of Prato (Provincia di Prato) dates from as recently as 1992. The province is located in the Region of Tuscany and was formed from part of the Province of Florence. At that time, Prato was the third largest… Read More » The Maremma of Tuscany, Italy The Maremma is a geographical area covering part of western Tuscany, notably the Province of Grosseto, and a small part of northern Latium (Lazio). It can be divided into the Alta Maremma (upper or northern Maremma) which borders on the Provinces of Sienna and Pisa,… Read More »
