Prato is on the train line from Lucca to Florence, making it easy for me to visit. I get off the train at Porta al Serraglio, which takes me directly to the old part of Prato.
I was surprised to learn that it is the second largest city in Tuscany, after Florence, with around 195,213 residents. Prato’s economy has long been based on textiles and its current textile district is the largest in Europe, made up of about 7,000 fashion companies.
Not far from the station is the Prato Cathedral, which was already in existence in the 10th century. It is in a beautiful piazza with a delightful fountain in the centre.
Donatello’s pulpit.
The town mixes old and new well. There are lots of modern shops, bars and restaurants that fit into the ancient setting.
Not far along the street from the Cathedral is Palazzo Pretoria, built in the 13th century in red bricks. The white stones are a late-Gothic addition. The external staircase and clock were added in the 16th century.
A statue of Prato’s famous citizen, known as the Merchant of Prato, is in front of the palazzo. Francesco di Marco Datini (1335 – 1410) is known for having implemented the first partnership system in business in 1383. He had no legitimate or male heirs and left the bulk of his fortune to a charitable foundation established in his name, the “Casa del Ceppo dei poveri di Francesco di Marco”, which still exists today.
Castello dell’Imperatore built by Frederick II of Hofensraufen on top of a previous fortification of which 2 towers remain. It was built between 1237 and 1247. Frederick II died during construction and the interior was never completed. It is open to the public.
Parts of the old walls of Prato are still intact.
Prato has an excellent textile museum which celebrates its long history with spinning, weaving and much more in the creation of textiles and clothing. A new exhibiton was being installed so only one part of the museum was open, an excuse to return.
A fulling machine used in the cloth finishing process, from the 19th century.
An old wooden loom.
A spinning wheel.
A sewing machine from the end of the 19th century.
An example of silk.
The textile museum is excellent and requires lots of time for anyone interested in how our garments are made and how the process has developed. There were groups of students of various ages going through the museum while I was there. Perhaps there were some budding designers among them.
Another reason to return…Cantucci, a type of biscotti were invented in Prato in the middle ages and are still produced by local traditional makers. Of course you can now buy them anywhere, but buying them where they were first made sounds like a plan.
I would have liked to spend more time in Prato, but on the way into the city there was an announcement on the train telling of the train strike. There were only a few trains running so I had to leave early or wait until the evening. Sciopero is word you need to know in Italy. Stikes happen often, usually on a Friday.
