Prato province is the smallest of the ten provinces of Tuscany and one of the smallest in all of Italy. Six main communes are situated in Prato province and would make for a few excellent day trips if you’re planning to rent a villa in Prato for some or all of your vacation.
The capital is called Prato and it’s the second largest city in Tuscany after Florence.
The other main towns are called Cantagallo, Poggio a Caiano, Carmignano, Montemurlo, Vernio and Vaiano. Prato city is located at the foot of Monte Retaia and offers a wealth of attractions to keep tourists entertained.
It's home to many stunning buildings, beautiful piazzas and monuments which would be well worth a tour around for a day. Textile production was a large part of Prato’s economy and can be learned about in greater detail at the large textile museum here in the city. It also displays an incredible collection of archived writings by the master Tuscan poet, Dante Alighieri.
The capital is called Prato and it’s the second largest city in Tuscany after Florence.
The other main towns are called Cantagallo, Poggio a Caiano, Carmignano, Montemurlo, Vernio and Vaiano. Prato city is located at the foot of Monte Retaia and offers a wealth of attractions to keep tourists entertained.
It's home to many stunning buildings, beautiful piazzas and monuments which would be well worth a tour around for a day. Textile production was a large part of Prato’s economy and can be learned about in greater detail at the large textile museum here in the city. It also displays an incredible collection of archived writings by the master Tuscan poet, Dante Alighieri.
Stop by the cathedral of Santo Stefano which houses a superb collection of frescoes and a beautiful pulpit deigned by master sculptor, Donatello. Visit the castle of the Emperor in Prato which has been magnificently preserved and is open for the public to walk around and discover its role in protecting the city.
Taste the succulent Slow Food that is endearingly promoted across the province of Prato, especially in the town of Carmignano.
The figs which are grown here are slowly dried in the sun before being steamed by sulphur fumes to retain their juiciness.
They’re then left for another month when a natural white sugar coasting forms on the skin. Carmignano figs are delicious when eaten along with a glass of Vin Santo or with a signature salami of Prato called Mortadella di Prato, another Slow Food product.
Taste the succulent Slow Food that is endearingly promoted across the province of Prato, especially in the town of Carmignano.
The figs which are grown here are slowly dried in the sun before being steamed by sulphur fumes to retain their juiciness.
They’re then left for another month when a natural white sugar coasting forms on the skin. Carmignano figs are delicious when eaten along with a glass of Vin Santo or with a signature salami of Prato called Mortadella di Prato, another Slow Food product.
The famous actor, Roberto Benigni comes from Prato and has starred in many Italian television comedies and films. He directed and starred in the epic film, ‘La Vita e Bella’ which tells a bittersweet tale of World War II set in Tuscany.
Spend some time in this beautiful province which may be small but has a huge collection of interesting things to do and see during your stay. Choose from some pretty vacation rentals in the central area of Tuscany near Prato and get ready to enjoy a fabulous break away in Tuscany!
Spend some time in this beautiful province which may be small but has a huge collection of interesting things to do and see during your stay. Choose from some pretty vacation rentals in the central area of Tuscany near Prato and get ready to enjoy a fabulous break away in Tuscany!
Photo credits
picture 1: Massimilianogalardi / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Massimilianogalardi / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Marcuscalabresus / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Massimilianogalardi / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Massimilianogalardi / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Marcuscalabresus / CC BY-SA 3.0
