Pistoia's Castle · Jul 10, 02:01 PM by James Martin
I like Pistoia quite a lot. It’s easy to access by car or train, it has a great daily market and the Piazza del Duomo is one of the most compelling in Italy. But there’s more.
You will, if you go, ignore Pistoia’s castle. They will not tell you much about it because it’s unlikely you will be able to go in. It’s a mess, really, with some oddly modern construction floating atop its bleak ramparts. But I like the outsides of it so you’re going to have to look at it. Here:
The fortress was constructed for Cosimo I de Medici, the grand-duke of Tuscany, who was a great believer in the joys of public works, mostly military. Nanni Unghero built the thing in 1539. It was decommissioned in 1774 and later used as a barracks, prison and as a “recruitment center.” For what, I will allow you to wonder.
Pistoia's Castle originally appeared on WanderingItaly.com Jul 10, 2010, © James Martin, 
The Post Office | PO'ed Again Fake Balsamic Vinegar
Popular These Days
