Author Description

Flowers in the gardens, the nurseries, the woods and the meadows... but also painted, sculpted, and embroidered: we love the latter as well, don't we? I found some of the best botanical-themed embroideries in Pistoia, which, as the very heart of the most important floricultural area in Italy, is also a magnificent ancient town. Halfway from Florence and Lucca, Pistoia it is often ignored by the traditional tourist routes and that's a real shame. Its Cathedral of Saint Zeno with the facade decorated by Andrea della Robbia (see full description below), the bell tower and the baptistery in Florentine Gothic style are treasures of the city. Then, there's the basement of Ceppo Hospital, included in the "Pistoia Sotteranea" and Piazza della Scala, hosting the city market and several numerous historic establishments. Not to mention Marino Marini Museum inside Palazzo del Tau, on Corso Fedi, which houses many works of contemporary art. Visitors should see Museo del Palazzo dei Vescovi, which houses the spectacular "Millefiori" Tapestry, and Museo del Ricamo (Embroidery Museum) inside Palazzo Rospigliosi.The "Millefiori Tapestry", or of "Adoration Tapestry", is a masterpiece of Flemish tapestry dating back to 1500 and was made in Flanders. It belongs to the Cathedral of Pistoia (it used to be exhibited inside the Duomo) since 2016 it has been a priceless treasure of the Museum of Palazzo dei Vescovi.