Ancient Roman and medieval Pistoia has in its artistic heritage palaces of various periods and various beautiful Romanesque and Gothic churches.
It is certainly of Roman foundation (it is mentioned in the second century BC), but probably there was a previous settlement etrusco.Importante oppidum (fortified town) on the Via Cassia, which connected Rome to Lucca and Florence, Pistoia in Roman times was intended to 'supply of the Roman army, and probably owes its name (Pistor, or Pistoriae Pistorium), just that. In Latin in fact "Pistoria" indicates the oven to bake bread. E 'can, however, that the source is instead of Etruscan "track" and "Oros" which means the door and mount. The first city walls dating from the mid-eighth century and was 14 meters high.
The city was a bishopric, and conquest of the Goths, Byzantines, Lombards and Franks. With the new millennium Pistoia is poised to become autonomous. In 1105 in Pistoia governing consuls, the oldest democratic institution of the judiciary and in 1158 the mayor stem the power of the bishop, whose fortified palace was built at the cathedral.
In 1144 two pilgrims will carry the relic of St. James, making the city a compulsory stop on the route of the road Franchigena for those who went to Santiago de Compostela. Just the scallop, one of the attributes of S. James, is probably represented in the coat of arms, the red and white checkerboard with 36 pieces, line the sides of two bears (added later to represent the dominance of Pistoia on the mountain).
The position of Pistoia at the confluence of major trade routes fuel its commercial vocation, and especially since 1100, shows an active merchant class. The Pistoia became famous for banking and financial functions, including at international level. Most important families of the period are the Panciatichi, the Chiarenti, the Ammannati, the Partini, the Chancellors.
At the beginning of '300 the city was besieged by Florence and Lucca. The strength of Pistoiesi lasted 11 months, but had to give way. Pistoia swung in the hands of Lucca and Florence long. Since 1351 the city was subjected to Florence, which will remain tied until the Unification of Italy. The subjection to Florence and to the rules dictated by this brought a long period of stagnation. And 'this is the historic moment that marks permanently Pistoia. If the city had maintained its autonomy would have a secure future direction in terms of wealth and splendor. Even today, one wonders if the character of the city and the shady attitude of its inhabitants are the result of distant events that are lost in time. In mid-1300 and then another blow: the plague almost halved the population increased from 11 to 6 thousand units. Past the '300 was the third straight walls, still visible today. 15 meters high was equipped with towers and bastions (the bastion and bastion Ambrogi Thyrion still be seen). Medici fortress of Santa Barbara was the main point of the garrison.
Four doors provide access to the city gate Lucchese, Carratica door leads to the Village and San Marco (the districts citizens take their name from the door).
Significant period of Lorraine in the middle of the '600 and in particular the presence of Peter Leopold, to whom we owe the construction of the Modenese (connecting, connecting the center and north through the Abetone) and clearance numerous marshy areas. Followed the French occupation, the Restoration, later the Risorgimento and in 1849 the Austrian occupation. From this period dates the railroad that connected with Florence, Pistoia. 1964 and the railroad that linked Porrettana Pistoia to Bologna.
Between '800 and '900 saw the birth of a plant for the production of railway equipment. Dates back to 1891 in particular the important complex of San Giorgio workshops, specializing in the construction of railway rolling stock. In suburbs develop nurseries of plants (the first dates back to 1849).
The emblem of Pistoia as the decree of 1943 is "Check silver and red of thirty pieces. Samnite The shield-shaped, it will be topped in the crown of the city and will have to support two bears with their heads facing backwards, covered with chased silver cape and red, fluttering, lined with green. "
The checkered red and white with 36 pieces, line the sides of two bears (added later to represent the dominance of Pistoia on the mountain) derives its origin, perhaps from the scallop, one of the attributes of S. Jacopo. The chapel of the saint in the cathedral, is composed of its white and red marble. But this is not the only theory on the origin of the board, a second theory brings the chessboard to the regular subdivision's road map of the city of Rome. Yet another theory puts the board in its report with the game of chess. The white and red were the colors of the original game, simulation of the clash of war and with them the city would like to show chivalry and animated by a spirit warrior. |
