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routes / In town
Pistoia's churches on the Via Romea Strata
Precious treasures of spirituality
Pistoia
Out of all the historical roads that created the base of European culture, the Via Romea Strata clearly stands out as being one of the most important ones, as it once was an ancient route where economic and cultural links were built and firmly established.
The Via Romea Strata was an essential and important road, connecting traffic coming from the eastern centre of Europe to Rome, the crucial heart of spirituality.
Nowadays, it has once again become usable and enjoyable for wayfarers and pilgrims who, as they pass through the centre of Pistoia, can follow an itinerary, which offers them a myriad of historical churches to visit.
Stages Itinerary
Church of San Francesco
Pistoia
stage 1
Church of San Francesco
The vast monasterial complex of the Church of San Francesco is a wonderful work of architecture dating back to the 13th century. Inside, and crossing its one sole nave, are the main chapel's frescoes which tell the Story of San Francesco, in an extremely beautiful, pictorial style.
Church of Sant'Andrea
Pistoia
stage 2
Church of Sant'Andrea
The Church of Sant’Andrea was probably founded in the 7th century and therefore of extremely ancient origins. The building surrounds you with an atmosphere of solemnity, embracing you with its majestic aisles and showing you the wonders of its invaluable pulpit. Sculptured by the exceptional 13th century Master Giovanni Pisano, it narrates the History of the Life of Christ, enchanting us with the beauty and perfection of its fine details.
Church of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola (Spirito Santo)
Pistoia
stage 3
Church of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola (Spirito Santo)
Entering the Church of Sant'Ignazio di Loyola, we find ourselves fascinated by the richness of the Baroque decor, in particular contrast to its rather severe external aspect. The High Altar, designed by Bernini, stands out with a large painting depicting the Apparition of Christ to St. Ignatius, framed by two green, marble columns coming from the Villa Giulia in Rome. The Church has two organs facing each other, situated high up at the sides of the aisle.
Cathedral of San Zeno
Pistoia
stage 4
Cathedral of San Zeno
The splendid Cathedral of San Zeno in the Piazza del Duomo immediately surrounds you in an ancient atmosphere of sincere religious worship. You can admire the marquetry on the Silver Altar and the Relic of Saint James kept inside a valuable Reliquary which is a masterpiece of the goldsmith Lorenzo Ghiberti. Outside the Cathedral, two symbols are very important to pilgrims: the Compass Rose, in which the pilgrim's scallop shell, the badge of the pilgrim, is set, and the cippo jacopeo, the boundary stone of St. James, which shows the distance from Pistoia to Santiago de Compostela.
Basilica of the Madonna dell'Umiltà
Pistoia
stage 5
Basilica of the Madonna dell'Umiltà
The amazing dome of the Basilica Della Madonna dell'Umiltà is the third most important in Italy. Clearly inspired by Florence's famous Dome, this one was built by Vasari and the Church itself holds many works of art. The most famous one is the sacred image of a Madonna with Child, the subject of a miracle: during the many wars that took place at the end of the 15th century, the Madonna was once seen to be crying. Thanks to this miraculous event, the Church then became a Sanctuary.
