Palazzo dei Vescovi, Medieval episcopal palace in Pistoia, Italy
The Palazzo dei Vescovi is a medieval palace next to the Cathedral of San Zeno, featuring Gothic architecture with pointed arches and thick stone walls. Today the building houses a museum, bank branch, and tourist office within its historic rooms.
The palace was founded in 1091 and served as the bishop's residence for eight centuries until 1782, when it was sold to private owners. Roman and Etruscan remains beneath its foundations show how long people have built and lived on this site.
The palace was the bishop's seat and remains central to the city's religious identity. Visitors can see religious artworks and chapel spaces that reveal how the church functioned in daily life.
The palace sits directly next to the cathedral and is easy to reach on foot, especially when exploring the old town. Inside, visitors can see various rooms and a small museum, with guided tours sometimes available.
An old sacristy in the palace connects to a story that Dante Alighieri mentioned in his Divine Comedy. The tale concerns a theft and shows how local events became part of great literature.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
