Identity: Capital of Culture 2017 and Capital of the Book 2026
Pistoia presents itself as a city of libraries and culture: Italian Capital of Culture 2017, credited for its urban management and library system, and Italian Capital of the Book 2026. The Comune led the bid together with the Region, Province, Diocese, foundations and Chamber of Commerce.
Sections: Geography · History · Population · Languages · Time zone · Public holidays
Italian Capital of Culture 2017
The tourism portal reports that the title of Italian Capital of Culture 2017 was proclaimed on 25 January 2016 in front of mayor Samuele Bertinelli, in competition with Aquileia, Como, Ercolano, Parma, Pisa, Spoleto, Taranto and Terni. Reasons listed include urban-area management, the library system, openness to international exchange and the quality of partnerships; the bid was led by the Comune with Regione Toscana, the Province, the Diocese of Pistoia, two banking bodies and the Chamber of Commerce. The stated effects are more tourists, better services and territorial redevelopment: these are the portal's own claims.
Italian Capital of the Book 2026
In 2026 the city is running "Pistoia Capitale italiana del libro 2026", a year-long programme of books, storytelling, educational projects and new public spaces under the slogan "La lettura è un'avventura!" ("Reading is an adventure!"), funded with a contribution from the Ministry of Culture.
Landmarks
Among the places the portal links to the city's identity are the Fortezza di Santa Barbara, commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici, and the Basilica della Madonna dell'Umiltà, whose double-shell dome is attributed to Giorgio Vasari.
Data
Sources
Updated: 2026-10-20
Updated: 2026-10-20
Reviewed: 10/23/2026 · by piero.avolio · rev. 1 · Period: → 2027-10-31
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