Italy, Pistoia Guide (B): Two Days in Pistoia, Tuscany - Day One

I had heard a whisper that Pistoia was worth a visit so on a free day in Tuscany I set off to find out if this was true. On arrival it seemed the town was sleeping and I asked the one passer-by I encountered between the centre and the station if I was going in the right direction for the old town. He assured me I was and soon after I was re-assured by the sight of a portion of the old city walls protruding into the street I felt a tingle of excitement. I love city walls as they always have something worth protecting behind them. Further along the street I found a building with an amazing exterior that resembled a chess board awaiting its players. This must be the cathedral.

It was not, it was the Chiesa di San Giovanni Fuorcivitas so-called because when its construction began it was outside the city walls. I went inside to have a look around and found a comparatively simple interior splashed with pools of sunlight one of which lit up a pretty white font.

After some speculation regarding how the priest could get up into the elaborate pulpit of Fra ‘Guglielmo da Pisa, I left. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).