duomo (cattedrale di san zeno)

If you are already in Pistoia you have to step into Duomo of Pistoia. Gret piece of architecture and very nice pieces of old christian artefacts. Look on the right from the altar - some remainings of saints we stored here.

Those in charge have prominent signs displayed forbidding all photographs even when there are no services. I tried to get close enough to see a fresco near the altar and the Beadle screamed at me to go away. I wasn't even trying to take a photograph, just enjoy the art that I had studied.

With not quite the splendour of some of the Tuscan Duomo's this place was still a great work of architectural splendor. It seems to have been wedged in against the other buildings in the piazza. No photos even without flash are allowed which is a shame. the piazza outside is full of activity not full of tourists here you meet the true Tuscan's. Across from the Cathedral is the baptistery again a much plainer building than many you see but still well woth a visit

The whole medieval center of Pistoia is very well preserved, and very compact. Its also very pretty and definitely worth a visit. Its also the center of the night life in the area, so going for a leisurely meal of tasty Tuscan fare folllowed by a late night cocktail (Limoncello!) or two while soaking up the atmosphere is always a good idea :)The cathedral itself is beautiful on the outside, typically Italian.

This square has a museum, the "court house", Governor's building if I read it right, 2 coffee shops, and daily entertainment (and of course several churches). Most days and every evening someone has been out there blowing large bubbles for the children. In late afternoon families come to visit. Wednesday and Saturday is a large flea market. It has tall towers so you can look up and find your way from the crooked streets around the area. There are little restaurants and coffee shops and gelaterias tucked away all around the small side streets. Pistoia is definitely a place to spend several days Most everything is closed on Sunday and many on Monday mornings. Nearly everything closes noon-ish to 4:30 and then open late. It is not a long walk from the bus or train station and you get to see and feel the town.

We visited 5 cathedrals on our tour and whilst not the most architecturally imposing this was the best kept. It's tall, bare, Romanesque interior walls are a complete contrast to the later exterior cladding. There is a good crypt and a magnificent wall painting in a south chapel. I didn't find the famous solid silver altarpiece very exciting, but then I didn't pay to have the chapel opened and only looked at it in the gloom through the railings. Apart from the altarpiece they were happy with photography all through the building. It is possible to have a tour up the tower for a fee but it looks a mighty long way and we gave it a miss, but no doubt the views are amazingNg.

If you have to kill some time before going to the Blues festival. Yep, another Duomo, nothing fancy, but nice Della Robbia decoration in the front portal

All duomos are unique and never should be skipped if time allows. This one is no different. Pistoia is so easily reached by train that you should try it.

This is another beautiful Italian Cathedral and contains the much admired Alter of St James- a massive embossed silver alter. Plenty to see.

This is a great Duomo in al place I really like. The Duomo is bigger than expected and free to visit. Downstairs you have the possibility to light some real candles instead of all the fake ones I don't like.

The Altarpiece of St James is an exquisite example of silversmith art. well worth the entry fee.

Nice romanesque church in the heart of Pistoia. The whole Piazza del Duomo is beautiful, typical italian. The façade is the most interesting part of it. If you want to see the masterpiece of the cathedral, the San Giacomo altar, you have to pay an entrance fee. Otherwise, it's free.

The Duomo of San Zeno in Pistoia is a wonderful example of archetecture at the time - Pisan style. The rich banded exterior hides a plain interior . The entry archway is richly decorated in blue and white glazed terracotta. The beautiful red,black and cream painted roof beams give a hint of what the interior must have looked like. There are fragments of frescoes and these must have covered the walls completely. The small crypts on either side of the raised altar show excavations of earlier churches and the graves/memorials to the town's cardinals. One chapel is dedicated to Padre Pio. In a side chapel, at some time, someone decided to build another wall - right across a beautiful frescoe depicting various biblical characters. This must have been a vast frescoe and only a small section now survives. There various beautifully carved monuments to various patrons and eccleastical figures.The forecourt between the Duomo and the Baptistry is the site of a market every Wednesday and Saturday mornings and although this is interesting, it prevents any photography of the facade of the Duomo. The market spreads through the side streets as well.The Campanile can be climbed at specific times and you should book to do this through the tourist office that is located diagonally across from the baptistry (Palazzo dei Vescovi - Piazza del Duomo). There are toilets at No 13 Via Braccolini near the duomo (E0.50).Pistoia is a town worth visiting.

Nella piazza di Pistoia ti trovi immerso in una tipica piazza delle città Medioevali, con tutti gli edifici che che costituivano i poteri in quel periodo

... nonostante tutto la maestosità dell'antica Chiesa ha saputo emanare lo stesso il suo fascino. Bellissimo il campanile!