Things to do in Ponte Buggianese Italy – what to see attractions and activities

The water vital element of Montecatini Terme is celebrated by numerous fountains not only inside the thermal baths, but also along the arteries and in the main squares. The tourist is welcomed from the entrance of the town with the Fontana Mazzoni, in the square of the Railway Station. Then continue with the Guidotti Fountain in Piazza del Popolo and with that of Shingu. The route ends with the Pol Bury Fountain located at the top of the thermal parks.

Medieval village with castle and Palazzo Pretorio dating back to 1200

The Museum of Casa Giusti was established in 1992 as a National Museum and is located in the home of the poet Giuseppe Giusti. The museum space is divided on two floors where documentary materials from the life of the poet are exhibited, thus retracing, even through a virtual journey, the splendid poetic production of the nineteenth century.

The Museum of the Sanctuary of Fontenuova was founded by the parish priest of the Sanctuary as a place for conservation and exhibition of sacral works. Of particular interest are the works of the venerated Madonna di Fortenuova and some objects from the Treasure of the Sanctuary. The Museum was also enriched by various objects donated by the faithful and the Church of Monsummano Alto.

The Museum of the City and Territory is located in the old Osteria dei Pellegrini of Monsummano Terme. The Museum exhibits materials related to the history of the settlements of the Valdinievole and to the reclamation of the Padule di Fucecchio. Divided into sectors, stands out the section dedicated to the “Treasure of Mary Most Holy of Fortenuova” where objects of sacred art are collected.

The Museum of Contemporary and Twentieth Century Art is located inside Villa Martini and was established in 2000. It exhibits contemporary works by artists such as Pietro Annigoni and Vinicio Berti. The Museum periodically organizes exhibitions of sculpture, painting and graphics not only by Italian artists but also of artists of international importance.

The Civic Museum has been housed, since 1975, inside the Castle of Larciano. The exhibition includes archaeological finds from the national and local territory. We can therefore admire you several polychrome majolica, incineration tombs and metal objects that date from a period ranging from prehistory to the modern age.

The Castle or Rocca di Lanciano is located on the slopes of Monte Albano. From some written sources, it appears that it had already been built in the tenth century and that it belonged to the family of the Guidi Counts. From its position it dominates from above the whole country. Precisely for this reason it was a fundamental strategic point from the mid-thirteenth century onwards. Fortunately, today it is in excellent condition and is open to the public.

For centuries a clear separation between the city and the surrounding countryside and while the town grew, the walls were extended. Pistoia is still surrounded by the remains of three walls which are open to visitors every day.

Casa Studio F. Melani was the residence of the homonymous artist and the place where he created his entire art repertoire. Inside there is a very nice environment in which you can notice the elements of Conceptual Art, Arte Povera and Minimal Art. It is the place for those who are interested in art and culture.

The Palazzo del Tau is an ancient monastery of the Hospitaliero di Sant'Antonio Abate. Today home to the Marino Marini Museum, inside it we can find sculptures, paintings, lithographs and etchings by the artist known for his sense of movement and drama. The building is also home to an active multipurpose space, in the lobby of the museum there are, in fact, numerous concerts, theatrical performances, conferences, poetry readings or book presentations, enriching the artistic and cultural repertoire of the city.

Our Lady of Humility was built in the 13th century. It is a basilica of Pistoia dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The structure of the basilica is rich in works of art. The Basilica of Our Lady of Humility is known for its large dome 59 meters high built by Giorgio Vasari.

The Marino Marini Museum is currently home to both the Documentation Center, inaugurated in 1979 in the halls of the Palazzo Comunale di Pistoia, and the Marino Marini Foundation established in Pistoia in 1983. It also houses a library equipped with everything on Marino's activity with monographs, catalogues, art magazines and a complete collection of newspaper articles. The Tau complex is also part of the museum.

Piazza della Sala is located in the historic center of the city of Pistoia. Its name derives from the role he played in the Lombard era, when the Palazzo del Gastaldo stood there. Later it became the daily food market and on the sides of the square and in the nearby streets developed small shops with stone pallets and protruding canopies. Today it's one of the most beautiful squares in the city.

The Parish Church of Sant'Andrea or Church of Sant'Andrea is a church built in the 8th century and is dedicated to St. Andrew the Apostle. It is also part of the Diocese of Pistoia. Originally it was smaller in size and later in the twelfth century only the length was changed, which gave the building a vertical momentum that still fascinates many. You can see inside a sculpture depicting the journey of the Magi of Gruamonte.

The structure of the 700 is named after the noble family of the Fabroni who lived there until 1842. It is home to the activities related to the contemporary visual arts of the Municipality of Pistoia. Inside we find the splendid pulpit by Giovanni Pisano (1301). Numerous collections in the building, in particular artists linked to the city by birth and adoption.

The Cathedral of San Zeno is located in Pistoia and was built in the tenth century. Initially, it was named after San Martino, but over time it was dedicated to San Zeno. It is the place of worship of the city of Pistoia. Inside the cathedral you can see the exhibition of refined sculptures. The cathedral has suffered several damages over the years. The bell tower of the church is dedicated to the “Bishop Moro”.

This building is one of the oldest buildings in Pistoia. According to official documents, Palazzo Pretorio was built after the year 1300 and was the seat of the administrators of the city. In 1880 the palace became the seat of the Court of Justice and changes were indispensable to renew the building and adapting it to the new function.

In the square of the Duomo opposite the cathedral rises the Baptistery. Its reconstruction in its present form was started with an octagonal base starting from 1301. In Gothic style, decorated in green and white marble.

The Bishops' Palace represents an important example of civil architecture of the Middle Ages, in the heart of the city of Pistoia. It also houses the Chapter Museum, which houses the sacred furnishings and liturgical vestments coming from the Cathedral of San Iacopo.

The civic museum is located in the Municipal Palace and is arranged on two floors. At the first we find tables with paintings and ancient works, sixteenth-century works from the 13th century to the sixteenth century; on the second floor we have works of Florentine and Pistoia painting.

The Museum of the Cathedral of San Zeno is located inside the cathedral located in Piazza Duomo. It dates back to the 19th century and preserves the ecclesiastical heritage. The museum also presents the history of the ancient medieval palace of the bishops of Pistoia. Inside the Museum there are the furnishings of the cathedral “Relic of the Ghiberti”.

On the facade stand out the arms of the Medici and the head of the King of Majorca Negro Musetto, killed by a captain of Pistoia in 1114. The interior is decorated with beautiful frescoes.

The Piazza del Duomo of medieval origin, was founded in 400. In this square are located the most important public buildings in the city including: Palazzo del Comune, Palazzo dei Vescovi and Palazzo Pretorio. The square is dominated by the Duomo which has a suggestive facade with 3 orders of loggias. In the first half of 1900, it was modified into Romanesque-Pisan forms.

The Pistoia Observatory was created in 1999 by the idea of the three founding partners: Marco Mancini, Tiziano Capecchi and Marco Burali. The birth of this observatory is due to a random meeting of the three founders during a public evening organized by an association. The name ``MTM Observatory`` contains the initials of the founders' baptism names and was created by the passion of being able to explore the sky and subsequently an excellent shooting position for all astronomy enthusiasts.

The Fortress of Santa Barbara was built in the 16th century as part of the fortifications established by the will of Duke Cosimo I dei Medici. In 1571, changes were made to the initial structure that gave the appearance it still preserves. Built with military architecture, it does not provide for decorative solutions. Throughout history it has been used as a barracks, but also as a military prison.

Considered a historical monument of the city, it was built in the 9th century in Piazza del Duomo. Built entirely of stone, the tower is about 30 meters high. A lookout terrace has also been added to the roof, thanks to the panoramic position that allows the complete view of Piazza del Duomo.

The museum is located in the residence of the Rospigliosi family. In the building we can see original furnishings, furniture, frescoes, upholstery and more than 50 works of antiquity. In the building we find the Diocesan Museum and since 2004 we also find the Museum of Embroidery.

The Diocesan Museum of Pistoia was initially positioned at the Bishop's Palace, but since 1990 it has been based in Palazzo Rospigliosi. It was founded in 1968, to show the public an exhibition of the ecclesiastical heritage and present the history of sacred art. This also offers a collection of historical documents and prayers written on stone. The museum is open to the public.

A few steps from Piazza Duomo, heading north, is the Ospedale del Ceppo, the most important social institution of Pistoia. The building was built in the 13th century. The facade is decorated with a beautiful Florentine portico and by the famous Robbiano frieze that runs, horizontally, over the entire facade.