Facts about Prato:
-located just outside Florence
-population of 180,000 with 8,000 factories employing 40,000 workers
-famous for its wool textile industry (since the Middle Ages) and Italian fabrics
-it has the highest percentage of Chinese immigrants in Italy
-the Emperor's castle (we passed this mighty fortress on the way to the Duomo) is the only example of Swabian architecture in north-central Italy (built by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II)
-during Meideval times the city was a sought after area between the rival towns of Florence and Pistoia. There were fights for ownership of the castles. The city was owned by the Barchi family until 1797. You can read more here: PRATO
-the Cathedral (or Duomo) is of great interest and showcases the art of Fra' Filippino Lippi (1452-1466 approx). Those frescoes in the apse--wow.
-Prato has lots of contemporary art (lots of open air art)
-Theatre is big in Prato. It is home to the prestigious Contemporary Art Centre 'Luigi Pecci' and to the highly acclaimed avant-garde theatre 'Metastasio'
-The Museum of the Textile, located near the Emperor's Castle, is the only museum in Italy dedicated to the textile art technology.
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