Pistoia - Duomo di Pistoia

The Pistoia Cathedral (aka "Cattedrale di San Zeno") is located just opposite the baptistery just seen.

The cathedral dates back to the 10th century, but in 1108 it was severly damaged by a fire and had to be rebuilt. In 1145 an altar was dedicated here to Saint James the Great (aka St. Jaques) by Bishop Saint Atto, who had brought a relic to Pistoia from Santiago de Compostella.

In 1202 another fire damaged the cathedral again. When further damage was caused by an earthquake in 1298 the facade probably existed already, but between 1379 and 1440 the facade was reconstructed with the addition of three tiers of striped marble loggias and a portico.

Since then the cathedral is topped by the sculptures of Saint Zeno and Saint Jacopo. They are the patron saints of Pistoia.