For the Easter holidays and the long weekends of April 25 and May 1, 2025, don’t miss the chance to discover Pistoia, a perfect destination for art and culture enthusiasts.
The local museums, with their rich collections, will take you on a fascinating journey through the region’s history, from its origins to the present day.
Explore the Events and Experiences sections to discover all the activities and fully immerse yourself in the area.
Pistoia Musei
On Sunday, April 20 (Easter), Monday, April 21 (Easter Monday), Friday, April 25, and Thursday, May 1, the Pistoia Musei venues—including the Museum of the Ancient Bishop’s Palace, the Museum of San Salvatore, and Palazzo de’ Rossi | 20th-Century Collections—will be open continuously from 10 AM to 7 PM.
Additionally, the exhibition schedule expands with special openings of Daniel Buren. Fare, Disfare, Rifare. Lavori in situ e situati 1968-2025. The exhibition at Palazzo Buontalenti will be open on Easter (April 20), Easter Monday (April 21), Tuesday, April 22, Friday, April 25, and Thursday, May 1, from 10 AM to 7 PM, offering an even wider audience the opportunity to explore it. The exhibition will remain open until July 27, 2025.
Every Saturday at 5 PM, Palazzo Buontalenti will host guided tours led by specialized experts, providing a deeper insight into the exhibition.
For younger visitors, family workshops are available with activities tailored to specific age groups: Casa Arlecchino (ages 3–6) and Occhio alle Strisce (ages 7–11). These will take place within the exhibition and in the Palazzo Buontalenti atelier.
Musei Civici di Pistoia
On Friday, April 25, in celebration of Liberation Day, admission to all museums will be free.
Until Monday, June 2, the Museum of Ancient Art at Palazzo Comunale di Pistoia will host the exhibition From the City to the Museum: The Illustrious Gallery of the Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts in the Civic Collections. Curated by Gaia Ravalli and Giacomo Guazzini, under the supervision of Elena Testaferrata, the exhibition will be open from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Direzione regionale Musei nazionali Toscana
The Fortezza Santa Barbara will also be open to visitors with free admission on Friday, April 25 and Thursday, May 1 from 8.30 AM to 1.30 PM.
The Ex Chiesa del Tau and the Oratory of San Desiderio remain accessible by reservation only, with free admission. Reservations must be made at least three days in advance by calling +39 0573 24212 or +39 0573 32204 (available from 8.30 AM to 1.30 PM).
Pistoia sotterranea
Pistoia Sotterranea will remain open as usual on Easter, Easter Monday, April 25, and May 1, with guided tours at 10.15 AM, 11.30 AM, 3 PM, and 4.30 PM. Reservation is recommended.
This is a unique opportunity to explore the longest underground route in Tuscany, discover the history of the ancient Ospedale del Ceppo, and learn about the events that led to the burial of the Brana River.
Ecomuseo della Montagna Pistoiese
The Ecomuseum of the Pistoiese Mountains also awaits you with special openings of its museums and outdoor itineraries.
On Monday, April 21, Friday, April 25, and Thursday, May 1, you can visit the Museum of the People of the Pistoiese Apennines and the Naturalistic and Archaeological Museum of the Pistoiese Apennines from 3 to 6 p.m., for an afternoon dedicated to exploring the culture, nature, and history of the area.
On the same days, the Chestnut and Charcoal Route in Orsigna will also be open, with a meeting point with the guide at 3 p.m. (for those arriving later, the guide will already be along the path), as well as the Ghiacciaia della Madonnina (Ice House), with a meeting point directly at the site, also starting at 3 p.m. In case of bad weather, both outdoor itineraries will remain closed.
At Palazzo Achilli, you can also visit the exhibition Railways. From the steam train to the F.A.P. whistle, an evocative journey through the history of the train, the trans-Apennine Porrettana line, and the Alto Pistoiese Railway. In addition to April 21, 25, and May 1, the exhibition will be open from Thursday to Sunday, through May 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.
Closed on Sunday, April 20.
All Ecomuseum sites can be visited with a free-will donation.
Opening churches
Church of Sant’Andrea
The Romanesque Church of Sant’Andrea will be open on Easter, Easter Monday, April 25, and May 1, from 10 AM to 4 PM.
On Easter Sunday, visits will be suspended during the 10.30 AM Mass.
Church of San Jacopo in Castellare
On Saturday, April 19, Sunday, April 20 (Easter), Monday, April 21 (Easter Monday), and Friday, April 25, 2025, the Church of San Jacopo in Castellare, one of the oldest in Pistoia, will remain open for visits. Inside, you can admire wall paintings dating from the mid-13th century to the second half of the 14th century.
The church is open with free admission from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Cathedral of San Zeno and Baptistery
The Cathedral of San Zeno will be open from Monday to Saturday, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and from 3:30 PM to 7 PM; on Sundays, from 9 AM to 12:30 PM and from 3:30 PM to 7 PM. On Easter Sunday, the afternoon opening will be at 4 PM, while on Easter Monday it will return to 3:30 PM. Free admission.
The Silver Altar inside the church can be visited upon request, with a voluntary donation. For information, call +39 0573 25095.
The Baptistery of San Giovanni in Corte will be open on Sunday, April 20 (Easter) and Monday, April 21 (Easter Monday), from 10:00 AM to 6 PM.
