San Jacopo Path
The Path of San Jacopo winds for 174 km along the Cassia - Clodia road which connects the cities of Florence, Prato, Pistoia, Pescia and Lucca. The Cassia - Clodia is an ancient road route over two thousand years old, a Roman road which, passing through Florence, connected Rome to the strategic port of Luni.
In the Middle Ages, pilgrims heading to Rome or Santiago de Compostela stopped in Pistoia to pay homage to the relic of the Apostle James (or Jacopo), which arrived in the city from Galicia in 1144 and is still kept today inside the Cathedral of San Zeno. Thanks to this profound and widespread cult, Pistoia is called the Santiago Minor, the Little Santiago.
The path represents a journey through wonderful art cities of Tuscany and can be considered a section of the long itinerary, in the heart of Europe, towards Santiago de Compostela, crossing the coast way and the French Way. Alternatively, it is possible to embark from Leghorn to reach Barcelona and continue along the Catalan and Aragonese routes.
Immerse yourself in this fascinating pilgrimage experience along the Path of San Jacopo, exploring the scenic beauty and cultural richness of Tuscany, as you follow in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims towards Santiago de Compostela.
To find out more: www.ilcamminodisanjacopo.it
Technical information Technical information
Total length: 174 km
Total height difference uphill: 2,050 m
Difficulty: medium
Proposed stages: 6
Total duration: 6 days
Connections:
Stages in the territory of Prato:
From Florence to Prato From Florence to Prato
Total length: 27.1 km
Overall height difference uphill: + 190 m
The path in Prato begins on the foothills - from which we can enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding plain - which leads to the former Marchino cement factory. Once passed, we turn towards the city center where it is possible to enjoy countless ideas for the visit, but it remains a must to stop inside Prato Cathedral for the Sacred Belt.
From Prato to Pistoia From Prato to Pistoia
Total length: 27.1 km
Overall height difference uphill: + 350 m
The Path is a concentration of art, history and nature in the heart of Tuscany. The stage that passes through Prato area is particularly interesting from a naturalistic point of view. From the embankment of Bisenzio river, towards Le Sacca hill, you come across the ruins of the former Cicognini boarding school, the Villa Carlesi-Fossombroni, and going down towards Figline, the Romanesque church of St. Peter. Immersed in the nature of the Monteferrato Protected Area you will be able to see, from the highest point, the dome of Pistoia Cathedral. Then continuing in the middle of the countryside on Via Baronese, away from traffic, you can see the Villa del Barone; then you reach the Fortress of Montemurlo and from here, skirting nurseries and villas at the foot of the hills, you arrive in Pistoia.
Along the route
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