INFORMATION ABOUT PRATO and the region

Details about Prato's historic centre, vibrant cultural life and local geography are available at  https://www.monash.edu/prato/visiting-prato/about-prato

Here is a short guide 

 Dating back to medieval times, Prato is known for its textile industry and, more recently, the 'fast fashion' sector.

The city has a rich historical and artistic patrimony, including:

• a mid-thirteenth century castle built by the Hohenstaufen Emperors
• medieval walls enclosing the ancient city centre
• a Romanesque-cum-Gothic cathedral dedicated to Saint Stephen, with an external pulpit by Donatello and Michelozzo
• the church of Santa Maria delle Carceri by Giuliano da Sangallo, with a Greek cross plan
• Palazzo Datini, the late fourteenth century home of the famous 'Merchant of Prato', Francesco Datini
• Palazzo Pretorio, the former city hall of Prato, now a museum with a collection of about 3000 items from the fourteenth to the twentieth century, including works by Donatello, Filippo Lippi and Filippino Lippi
• Museo del Tessuto, the largest cultural centre in Italy dedicated to the promotion of historical and contemporary textile production and art

 Yet to be transformed by mass tourism, Prato is the perfect environment for immersion in Italian language and culture. With a population of over 195,000, Prato is the second-largest city in Tuscany (after Florence). Like many cities in Europe, Prato has a multicultural community. It is also home to one of the largest Chinese migrant populations in Europe. This diversity is reflected in the cultural, artistic and economic life of the city.

The major sites are located within the city's medieval walls and in easy walking distance of our campus. For places of interest and other useful information in English, view the Città di Prato website.

 The Province of Prato embraces some magnificent countryside. There are also important Etruscan archaeological sites not far from the city.

South of Prato lie the towns of Artimino, Poggio a Caiano (with its famous Medici Villa), and Carmignano, an area famous for the production of DOC and DOCG wines and extra virgin olive oil.

To the north you'll find the picturesque mountain towns of Vaiano and Vernio.

The Prato Tourist Bureau has maps and further information to help you enjoy your stay.

Prato is connected by regular trains to Florence (30min), Pistoia (20min), Pisa (1.5hrs), Lucca (1hr) and Versilia (1.5hrs). The official Visit Tuscany website provides up-to-date information on the many destinations you can explore during your stay in this beautiful region.