Piazza San Francesco (known by many as Piazza Mazzini) was the protagonist of many events related to the history of the city; in ancient times it was a grassy lawn and took on its current appearance only towards the early nineteenth century when the Pantheon was built, placed on the relief that is to the west of the square. Thanks to the local literature you can find evidence of the past: in 1324 the militias of Castruccio Antelminelli, known as Castracani, encamped there, when his troops won against the historical traitor of Pistoia Filippo Tedici.

One of the oldest streets is Via degli Orafi, a street that was originally called Via Taberna, probably due to the many taverns that were there. Along this street in the historic center stand out some of the most important Art Nouveau buildings in the city and built thanks to the entrepreneurial initiative of Antonio Lavarini.

Gathered intimately in the space where, in the Lombard period, the curtis domini regis (the Gastaldo palace) stood, Piazza della Sala, squeezed around the Pozzo del Leoncino, today hosts a weekly market. Inside the area, characterized by small shops, stone benches and canopies, the daily food market is held.

From whichever side you look at it, you understand at first glance why Piazza del Duomo is considered one of the most beautiful square in Italy. Serene in the atmosphere, it is surrounded by architecture of orderly and monumental elegance, buildings that play with the impetus of the bell tower, very light in height, for the flourishing of loggias and loggias.