A new archaeological route has opened beneath the Ancient Palace of the Bishops in Pistoia. The underground spaces are accessible to the public for the first time in decades.
The project was carried out by Fondazione Pistoia Musei under director Monica Preti and curated by archaeologist Cristina Taddei. It was supported by Fondazione Caript, with backing from Conad Nord Ovest.
The route traces Pistoia’s development from Etruscan settlements to the medieval and modern periods. Excavations began in the 1970s under archaeologist Guido Vannini.
Visitors pass ancient roads, wells and domestic spaces. Finds include Roman workshops, Lombard ceramics linked to an early medieval mint, and a medieval lime kiln.
A new introductory hall features an interactive digital table and two sculptures. These include an Etruscan urn reused as a reliquary of Saint Felix and a Roman portrait head of Faustina Major. Multimedia content and reconstructed soundscapes accompany the visit. Digital elements form part of the “Pistoia Moving Stories” project, recognised with the EssilorLuxottica Digital Award.
The underground route connects with the upper floors of the museum, which display medieval and modern artworks.
Admission to the entire museum is free until 6 January 2026. Regular opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The reopening will be marked by a year-long cultural programme, including lectures and special events.
