Prato

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For other uses, see Prato (disambiguation)}}}.

Prato is a city in Tuscany, Italy, the capital of the Province of Prato.

Historically, the economy of Prato has been based upon the textile industry. The renowned [Datini archives] are a siginifcant archive of early medieval documents produced years between 1363 and 1410. The [Textile Museum] also reflects this history.

Prato is also a centre of the slow food movement, with many other local specialities, including cantucci, a type of biscotti, sold by local [speciality bakers].

Since the late 1950s, the city has been a target of a great immigration, first from southern Italy, then other nationalities. Since the late 1980s a large Chinese community has settled in the city.

History

Main sights

Prato is home to with many museums and other cultural monuments, including the Filippo Lippi frescoes in the Cathedral of St. Stephano, currently [under restoration]. The Cathedral has an external pulpit by Donatello.

Palazzo Pretorio was built from the 13th century in red bricks. The part in white stone is from late-Gothic era. In the 16th century an external staircase and a watch were added.

A further major attraction of the city is the Centro per l'arte contemporanea Luigi Pecci a museum and education centre concerned with contemporary arts.

Prato is also the home of the Monash University Centre. The [Centre]is now the largest Australian academic institution of its kind in Europe, providing a strong link between Australian scholars, students, and their European counterparts, as well as providing English-language training. The centre hosts many international conferences in its heritage-listed building.

Fractions

Borgonuovo, Cafaggio, Canneto, Capezzana, Casale, Castelnuovo, Chiesanuova, Coiano, Figline di Prato, Filettole, Fontanelle, Galcetello, Galceti, Galciana, Gonfienti, Grignano, I Ciliani, I Lecci, Il Cantiere, Il Guado, Il Soccorso, Iolo, La Castellina, La Conca, La Dogaia, La Macine, La Pietà, La Querce, Le Badie, Le Caserane, Le Fonti, Le Fornaci, Maliseti, Mazzone, Mezzana, Narnali, Paperino, Pizzidimonte, Reggiana, San Giorgio a Colonica, San Giusto, San Paolo, Santa Cristina a Pimonte, Santa Lucia, Santa Maria a Colonica, Sant'Andrea, Sant'Ippolito, Tavola, Tobbiana, Viaccia, Vergaio.

Notable citizens

• Nicolo Albertini, cardinal, in the 1200s
• Francesco Datini, merchant in the 1300s, "the merchant of Prato"
• Filippino Lippi, sculptor in the 1500s
• Lorenzo Bartolini, sculptor, 1777-1850
• Curzio Malaparte, writer, 1898-1957
• Fiorenzo Magni, cyclist, 1920-
• Roberto Benigni, actor and director (actually born near Arezzo but he used to live in Prato with the family.)
• Jury Chechi, gymnast, olympic gold medalist

See also

• The Crowning with Thorns (Prato)

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External links