Church of Sant'Ippolito in Piazzanese, church in Prato

The pieve di Sant'Ippolito in Piazzanese stands at Sant'Ippolito in Piazzanese, a western hamlet of Prato. The present building is datable to the first half of the 11th century: three apses are clad in "green marble" while the rest of the walls are in alberese stone. Inside, a three-nave plan keeps rare medieval cylindrical pillars with stylized capitals carved with small heads and geometric and plant motifs.

The building likely dates to the first half of the 11th century and may trace back to Lombard times, as suggested by its dedication to Saint Ippolito. A 1178 document places it as a landmark between two towns, showing its long role as a focal point for six surrounding parishes.

The church is named for Saint Hippolytus, whose relics rest in a silver urn on the main altar, made by the Pistoia silversmith Francesco Ripaioli in 1820 for Bishop Francesco Toli. Every six years the saint's feast is celebrated on 13 August with a procession carrying the relics on a horse-drawn cart.

The church stands in the western frazione of Sant'Ippolito in Piazzanese, in the comune of Prato, near the old Cassia Clodia road. The interior is entered through the main portal; the three apses face east. The feast of Sant'Ippolito is celebrated on 13 August, with the relics carried in procession every six years.

The silver urn on the main altar, an openwork piece by the Pistoia silversmith Francesco Ripaioli, was commissioned in 1820 by Bishop Francesco Toli and holds the relics of Saint Hippolytus. Every six years the relics are carried in procession on a horse-drawn cart for the feast on 13 August.