Pistoia Blues Festival 2009 takes place in the Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo) on July 3rd, 4th and 5th. Fats Domino, Alexis Korner, B.B. King, Dizzy Gillespie and Muddy Waters among the performers in previous editions. website

This Festival of music, theatre and art takes place along the streets of Maresca (a nice village just 4 kms far from our properties) on July 17th, 18th and 19th, 2009. website

25th July, 2009

One of the most popular events of the Luglio Pistoiese festival (July in Pistoia), the Giostra dell’Orso is an equestrian tournament in which the city’s four districts compete against each other in a test of their ability in the evocative Piazza del Duomo which is covered for the occasion with packed-down earth. The competition takes its name from the bear ("Orso”), the heraldic symbol of the City.

On the occasion of the Giostra Pistoia is transformed into a medieval city. In the morning, the people of Pistoia parade through the streets of the old town in the centre of the city dressed in beautiful medieval costume. This is followed by a ceremony in the cathedral, where the reliquary of San Jacopo (St. James), the patron saint of the city, is displayed for the occasion. The evening continues with the tournament, won by the fastest and most skilful rider in trying to strike the bear-shaped target. website

This festival is organised by Pistoia's Provincial Administration and takes place every year in late August. website