Pistoia sotterranea
Guided tour of about one hour beneath Pistoia, through medieval passages, ancient watercourses and the foundations of the Ospedale del Ceppo.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Pistoia Sotterranea is a route beneath the historic centre, described by its promoters as the longest underground route open to visitors in Tuscany. The route passes through centuries-old passages, drainage channels, foundations and parts of the Ospedale del Ceppo, with the remains of ancient watercourses, medieval bridges and forgotten walls.
The galleries were brought back to light over roughly eighteen years by Gianluca and a group of volunteers, starting from an interest in the hidden history of the city. During the visit the guide recounts episodes from the Middle Ages to the early modern period.
The tour starts from the ticket office in Ripa della Comunità, near Piazza del Duomo. From there the guide takes the group to the entrance of the underground museum in Piazza San Lorenzo.
Highlights
- Underground route through medieval passages and ancient watercourses
- Foundations and parts of the Ospedale del Ceppo
- Guided tour of about one hour, covering about 1 km on foot
- Free audio guide in Italian and English via app
Permanent exhibition
- Percorso sotterraneo guidato – Guided tour beneath the historic centre through medieval galleries, channels, the foundations of the Ospedale del Ceppo and ancient watercourses.
- Founded
- 2010
- Visitors per year
- approx. 19,638
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €15 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €12over 65s, residents of Pistoia, members of CamperLife and PleinAir, pilgrims with a credenziale, guests of partner accommodation and holders of tickets for partner attractions |
| Children & teens | €12free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 14; up to 5 years free if accompanied by a paying adult. |
| Seniors | €12Reduced ticket for over 65s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for visitors with a certified disability of 74% or more (or equivalent documentation from their country of origin) and one companion. |
| Students & apprentices | –No reduction for students, except on school group visits. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €12 per personSchools and groups of at least 15 participants: for schools, free admission for two accompanying teachers; for tourist groups, free admission for the group leader. |
| Families | €45Two adults and two children. |
| Adult, online purchase | €15Online booking only |
| Adult, purchase at the ticket office | €16 |
Online booking is recommended: the ticket arrives by e-mail with a QR code. Date and time can be changed free of charge up to 24 hours before; online tickets are refunded 100% if cancelled at least 24 hours in advance.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The route has stairs, low ceilings and uneven surfaces. Because of ongoing works at the Ospedale del Ceppo, the wheelchair entrance is temporarily closed, and the visit is not accessible to people with mobility difficulties.
Kids & families
Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 5+
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €45 · Two adults and two children. |
- Stroller-friendly: not available
Recommended from the age of 5. Babies in baby carriers are admitted, but pushchairs are impractical on the route. Reduced tickets and a family ticket are available for families with children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Cinema Lux · 7-min walk · 550 m
From Pistoia station (do not get off at Pistoia Ovest), about 15 minutes on foot (1.2 km), or by buses 4, 5, 8 or 15 from Piazza Dante Alighieri to the Cinema Lux stop, then about 7 minutes on foot (550 m). Intercity bus stops are in Piazza San Francesco and Piazza Treviso.
By car
Parking available · 6-min walk to the entrance
Parcheggio San Francesco (about 6 minutes on foot), Parcheggio Cellini (about 8 minutes), Parcheggio Pertini in Piazza della Resistenza (about 10 minutes).
The historic centre is largely a ZTL (limited traffic zone), so it is advisable to park outside the zone. By car: take the A11 Firenze–Mare motorway, exit at Pistoia and follow the signs to the historic centre. Address for navigation: Via Ripa della Comunità 18.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi, a small shop and toilets are available at the meeting point (ticket office) before and after the visit; there are no toilets along the route. Food and drink are not permitted during the visit.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (IT, EN) |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Personal photography is allowed, without flash when requested. Professional filming is only allowed with prior authorisation. |
| Good to know | Guided tours only, of about 60 minutes, of which about 45 are on foot covering about 1 km. Tours are mostly in Italian, with at least one English-language tour a day in high season. For groups of at least 30 people, tours in French or German are possible on request. A free app offers audio guides in Italian and English. Comfortable shoes are recommended. |
