The city of Prato is just half an hour outside of Florence and is actually the second largest city in the region.
While the city has treasures from the Etruscan, Medieval and more modern times, the city is practically non-existent for the majority of international visitors to Tuscany. This is what makes Prato perfect for anyone wishing to go "off the beaten path" and explore a city where not many visitors go to.
Prato's economy has historically been founded on the textile sector which is still alive and kicking even today. From Medieval times, as the letters of the famous "merchant of Prato" Francesco Datini document, to its industrial growth in the 19th century giving it the nickname of the "Manchester of Tuscany", Prato also has great historical-artistic treasures waiting to be discovered. Some of these include the stunning frescoes by Filippo Lippi, Paolo Uccello and Agnolo Gaddi inside the Duomo and the external pulpit by Michelozzo and Donatello, the beautiful Palazzo Pretorio and Piazza del Comune where it sits and the remains of the Castle of the Emperor, among others. Are you ready to explore Prato?
