“...if I was not born in Prato, I would have rather preferred not to be born at all" wrote Curzio Malaparte in the mid-1950s in his book "Those Cursed Tuscans".

Situated in the valley of the river Bisenzio and renowned for the quality of its textiles (there is even a museum dedicated to the local textile production), Prato is the second most inhabited Tuscan town after neighbouring Florence.

Like many other Tuscan towns, it has ancient origins. Some traces of what probably was an Etruscan town have been found in Gonfienti, at the border with Campi Bisenzio (talking about the Etruscans, do not forget to visit the Archaeological Museum in Artimino). The Romans too, who called it Pagus Cornius, lived in its territory, as demonstrate the biggest Tuscan villa (1,440 square metres) dating back to the pre-empire era.

Other important symbols of Prato history are the Emperor`s castle and the medieval donjon, as well as the town cathedral in Roman-Gothic style dedicated to Saint Stephen, which every year is the theatre of the ostension of the "Sacra Cintola", the belt which, according to the tradition, was given to Saint Thomas by the Virgin Mary during the Assumption.

The several installation artworks scattered all over the town and the Centre for Contemporay Art "Luigi Pecci" demonstrate the tight bond that exists between Prato and contemporary art.

This first chapter of our tourist guide to Prato ends with a mention of some delicacies you can must absolutely taste during your stay in the textile town: the typical almond biscuits called "cantucci" or "biscotti di Prato" (Prato biscuits) and the Carmignano DOCG, one of the most ancient red wines in Italy.

Enjoy the reading and have a nice vacation in Prato!