Prato was born in the 11th century from the union of the two villages of Borgo al Cornio and Castrum Prati. In the course of time, Prato was dominated by Pistoia and Florence, before being elevated to city status in 1653. Today, as in the past, Prato is an important industrial district in northern Tuscany, renowned all over the world thanks to its textile industry.

Although Prato cannot boast as rich an artistic heritage as neighbouring Florence, it nevertheless has interesting monuments, such as the Cathedral, the church of Santa Maria delle Carceri and the gothic church of San Domenico.

The Medicean villa in Poggio a Caiano is just a few kilometres away from Prato. The villa was one of the numerous residences the Medici family had in the countryside around Florence .


Prato - A Town in North-Eastern Tuscany

Prato is situated in north-eastern Tuscany, in a plain covering the provinces of Pistoia, Prato and Florence. Prato stands at the foot of the Monte della Retaia , which is part of the chain called Calvana , where the provinces of Prato and Florence have recently created a protected area. The Bisenzio river, which flows across the town, and the Ombrone pistoiese ( Pistoia Ombrone ) constitute the borders of the province .