For the Immaculate Conception long weekend, take the opportunity to discover Pistoia and the Montagna Pistoiese — an ideal destination for those who love art and nature. The local museums, with their collections, will guide you through a fascinating journey into the history and identity of the area.
Explore the Events and Experiences sections to discover all activities and enjoy the territory to the fullest.
Civic Museums of Pistoia
Over the weekend and on Monday 8 December, the Museum of Atiquet Art, the Museum of the Spedale del Ceppo and the Museum of the 20th and Contemporary Art at Palazzo Fabroni will be open with free admission from 10 am to 6 pm.
In addition, during the Christmas holidays — from 22 November 2025 to 6 January 2026 — on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (including 8 December, 25 December, 26 December, 1 January and 6 January), admission to the Civic Museums will be free for everyone.
Pistoia Musei
On Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December, the Museum of the Antico Palazzo dei Vescovi, Palazzo de’ Rossi with its Twentieth-Century Collections, and the Museum of San Salvatore will be open from 10 am to 6 pm. Exceptionally, all three venues will also open on Monday 8 December, from 10 am to 6 pm.
On Saturday 6 December, as on every first Saturday of the month, a free guided tour of Palazzo de’ Rossi — a historic eighteenth-century building in the heart of the city — will take place.
Thanks to the In Visita project, until 22 February 2026, visitors to Palazzo de’ Rossi | Twentieth-Century Collections will be able to admire selected works by Giacomo Balla: Velmare and two rare examples of tapestry-paintings titled Ballucecolormare.
Pistoia Sotterranea
Pistoia Sotterranea remains open with guided tours at 10:15 am, 11:30 am, 3 pm and 4:30 pm. Booking is recommended.
It is an opportunity to explore the longest underground path in Tuscany, discovering the history of the ancient Spedale del Ceppo and the events that led to the covering of the Brana River.
Regional Directorate of National Museums of Tuscany
A significant example of sixteenth-century military architecture, the Santa Barbara Fortress will be open on Saturday 6 and Monday 8 December from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. Closed on Sunday 7 December.
During the same days and opening hours, the former Church of the Tau and the Oratory of San Desiderio will also be accessible, with mandatory booking at least three days in advance by calling +39 0573 24212 / +39 055 265171 (Monday–Saturday, 8:30 am–1:30 pm).
On Friday 5 December 2025, the former Church of the Tau will open exceptionally with a special programme that includes two free guided tours: one for families and one with a specialist focus.
All venues offer free admission.
Jorio Vivarelli Foundation
The Jorio Vivarelli Foundation houses the most extensive collection of works by the Pistoiese sculptor, including sculptures, drawings, medals, plaster casts and maquettes.
For the Immaculate Conception weekend, the Foundation will be open on Saturday 6 December from 9 am to 1 pm.
Sundays at Villa La Magia
On Sunday 7 December, don’t miss the chance to visit Villa La Magia in Quarrata with a guided tour at 4 pm. Booking is required, with a maximum of 25 participants. Other days are available upon reservation.
The visit includes the interiors of the Villa, the contemporary art collection Lo Spirito del Luogo displayed in the park, and the Giuseppe Gavazzi collection hosted in the Tinaia.
Bookings: +39 0573 771500 (Giovanni Michelucci Multimedia Library, Monday–Saturday, 9 am–1 pm).
Regular guided tours take place every Sunday at 4 pm.
Palazzo Achilli – Ecomuseum of the Montagna Pistoiese
Palazzo Achilli, the information point for the Ecomuseum of the Montagna Pistoiese, hosts the exhibition The Three Faces of Freedom – 80 Years after Liberation from Nazifascism. A Future of Peace. The exhibition retraces Italy’s path from fascism to the Constitution, with a special focus on the partisan brigade Bozzi.
The exhibition will follow regular opening hours during the Immaculate Conception long weekend: Thursday–Sunday, 10 am–1 pm and 3 pm–6 pm.
Church Openings
Cathedral of San Zeno and Baptistery
Open Saturday and Monday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm; Sunday from 9 am to 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
The Silver Altar can be visited with a free-will offering:
– Saturday and Monday: 10:30 am–12 pm and 4 pm–5:30 pm
– Sunday: 12–12:30 pm and 4 pm–5:30 pm
San Jacopo in Castellare
Open from Saturday 6 to Monday 8 December, 10 am–6 pm. Free access with limited capacity.
Church of Sant’Andrea
Open during the long weekend from 10 am to 4 pm.
San Giovanni Fuorcivitas
Open the entire Immaculate Conception weekend from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.
