Pescia: A Step Back in Time through Art, Faith, and Color

A walking journey to discover the soul of the "City of Flowers", among Baroque treasures and unexpected street art.

1. The Triumphal Entrance and the Spiritual Heart

Our journey begins under the imposing Porta FiorentinaErected in 1733 in honor of Gian Gastone de’ Medici, it welcomes you with its Baroque elegance, making you feel immediately part of the Grand Ducal history. Having passed through Porta Fiorentina, just a few steps away, we encounter the The Convent of the Visitation with the adjacent the‘Oratorio di San Giuliano.

Continuing on, look up and be captivated by the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Duomo)Do not stop at its sober facade: its roots date back to the 5th century and the interior is a treasure chest of artworks that tell the power of the Pescia diocese. Adjacent to the Cathedral is a precious jewel: la Biblioteca Capitolare.

Not to be missed: Right opposite, the Chiesa di S. Maria Maddalena houses the precious Crucifix of the Magdalene If you are lucky enough to be here during the "Feste di Maggio" (every 25 years), you will see the city magically light up with thousands of wax candles.

2. Hidden Corners and Noble Residences

Walking alongside the Duomo on Via della Cattedrale, you will reach Piazza Garzoni. Here the Chiesa di S. Chiara will surprise you: behind an 18th-century exterior, it hides a Franciscan soul with ancient wooden trusses.

Before changing neighborhood, explore the"Sdrucciolo del Duomo“:

  • Palazzo Cecchi: Admire the Renaissance loggia with its finely crafted capitals.
  • L’Arco del Pozzino: A picturesque stone passage that connects ancient noble palaces, suspended above the street like a bridge between eras.

3. Great Masters and Scenic Squares

Continuing on Via Cesare Battisti, await us the Oratorio di Sant'Antonio and the San Francesco Church in Pescia, where you can admire the famous Pala del Berlinghieri, one of the most iconic depictions of the Saint. Next door, culture vibrates in Teatro Pacini, dedicated to the great composer Giovanni Pacini.

Crossing the Ponte di San Francesco (San Francesco bridge), the panorama opens onto the spectacular Piazza Mazzini. With its characteristic elongated shape and pastel-colored buildings, it is considered among the most beautiful in Tuscany. The square is dominated by Palazzo del Vicario (Town Hall), with its clock tower that once guarded the ancient prisons below. On the south side, you will be fascinated by the Oratorio della Madonna di Pié di Piazza.

4. Between Ancient History and Contemporary Art

Venture into the north side and arriving in Piazza Santo Stefano you will find yourself in the oldest core of the city. Here civic and religious treasures are concentrated:

The modern touch: Walk along Via Oberdan, a real "Open-Air Gallery". Look up (and down at the shutters!): here Street Art tells the story through the brushes of Maestro Franco Benedetti. Pinocchio .

5. Fashion, Nobility, and the Farewell to the South

The itinerary comes to an end heading south. In Piazza degli Obizzi you can admire the palace of the same name and, continuing on just a few steps further, you will come across the Chiesa della SS Annunziatawhich, unfortunately, is not open to visitors. Looking for a hidden gem? You can find it on Via Ruga degli Orlandi, at number 44. Here, in Palazzo Fortibegan the creative adventure of a global fashion legend: Salvatore Ferragamo.

Conclude your walk admiring the parade of historic buildings up to the solemn Church of San Micheleand as the final highlight of this unforgettable journey through the stones and colors of Pescia, we invite you to admire the former Palazzo del Littorio currently home to the Pescia branch of the State Archives and one of the watchtowers belonging to the ancient fortifications of this magnificent city.

A Labyrinth of Beauty