San Zeno Cathedral in Pistoia

The first written evidence of San Zeno cathedral is in a legal document dating September 923. The church was already built in the Early Middle Ages and is said to have been named after San Martino, the bishop of Tours who died in 397. The church was subsequently re-named after San Zeno, who was much loved by the leading Longobard population. Other saints associated with this church are San Felice, San Ruffino and San Proculo.

The Duomo, next to the beautiful bell tower, was completely renovated at the start of the twelfth century. Other smaller maintenance and restructuring works were carried out over the sixteenth century. The most recent renovation was made between 1836 and 1839. The church was restored to its twelfth century splendour between 1952 and 1966 by the ‘Soprintendenza ai Monumenti’ (Historical Monument Superintendent).