F.
Ziem, The Square in Pistoia from M. Lucarelli,
Iconografia di Pistoia nelle stampe dal XV al XVIII secolo,
Pistoia, 1995
This
piazza has always represented the heart of the city. In fact
the Romans first settled here when, to better fight off the
Ligurian peoples, they extended the Cassia road beyond the
Fiorentine territory. The Pistoia of Roman times was confined
to the area that would later be enclosed in the first city
wall (vs8); today
traces can still be seen in the many artifacts that have been
brought to light during archaeological excavations. In the
layout of the Roman city, what today is the piazza was really
the crossroads between the two main streets: the cardo maximus
and the decumanus maximus which traditionally determmned the
regularity of the urban plan. The Cassia road, corresponding
to the decumano, came from the side of the square where the
Palazzo degli Anziani(vs10),
would be built in later Medieval times and continued along
what is now via degli Orafi (vs6).
The cardo maximus can be seen today in via Bracciolini. At
the intersection of the two, there was the forum and an aristocratic
residence whose existence is proved by an elegant mosaic floor.
Presumably the piazza had witnessed a more ancient Etruscan
settlement, as is suggested by the two stone funerary markers
found nearby and now displayed in the archaeological section
of the Palazzo dei Vescovi (vs11).
After the barbarian invasions and the rise to power of the
Lombard governor, the piazza lost its central function in
public life and the focus of activity shifted temporarily
to the area around the piazza della Sala (vs4)
where the governor's house had been built.
The cathedral square regained importance in Medieval times:
it was the marketplace, a use it still conserves today, and
it became once more the political and religious center of
Pistoia. In that period it developed the characteristic appearance
it has today: a large open space defined by excellent examples
of Romanesque and Gothic architecture that make it one of
the most beautiful squares in Italy. The cathedral of San
Zeno (vs31)and the
Baptistery of San Giovanni in Corte (vs34);)
were built in the eleventh century; later the Palazzo dei
Vescovi (vs11) and
the first nucleus of Palazzo Pretorio (vs12).
) were constructed. Around the end of the thirteenth century
a whole quarter was demolished to make way for the Palazzo
del Comune (vs10).
In the 1600s the cathedral's new tribune was built. A hundred
years later the fourteenth-century Loggia degli Anziani (which
several prints of that period show near the bell tower) was
torn down; in the same period Baron Bracciolini built the
palazzo that today houses a bank. In the nineteenth century
Palazzo Pretorio, the old prefectural building, was enlarged;
today the prefecture is located in a building constructed
in the first half of this century, replacing an older construction
that the Pistoians used to call the palazzaccio for its unfinished
look.
Today the piazza del Duomo continues to concentrate around it,
in a unique way, all the most important buildings of religious,
political and judicial power.
F.
Bartolini, Plan of the piazza del Duomo
The Giostra dell'Orso
Every
year on July 25, the city districts compete in a real palio
organized in the piazza del Duomo. Although it is simply a
continuation of the more ancient corsa dei Berberi, the Giostra
dell'Orso (or Joust of the Bear) recreates the games that
were in use in the Medieval city. The competing horsemen have
to strike the target shaped like a bear - the animal found
on Pistoia's coat of arms (vs10),)
with their lances. Each rider represents one of the city quarters
(vs8) which are referred
to with the names of their symbols: the Dragon, the White
Deer, the Grifon, the Gold Lion. It is a spectacular and fascinating
tournament that marks the end of the festival of July when
the city hosts many cultural events.
Chronology
|
923
1112
1114
1294
1300
1332
1772
1786
1842
1938
|
First
documents refer to the Cathedral.
First sure references to the old Bishops' palace.
First mention of the Church of San Giovanni Battista in
Pistoia
The City Council buys up the Medieval quarter where the
new City Hall is to be built.
Palazzo Pretorio is built.
The Loggia degli Anziani is built.
The Loggia degli Anziani is torn down.
The Palazzo Bracciolini is built.
Palazzo Pretorio is renovated.
The Palazzo della Prefettura is built. |
Bibliography
Gurrieri
- Amendola, La
Piazza del Duomo a Pistoia, Bergamo, 1995
