Venue - Monash University Prato CentrePrato is a small but thriving Tuscan city, with a beautiful historic centre and a vibrant cultural and economic life. Famous for its textile industry, the city has a population of some 180,000 inhabitants, a growing percentage of whom are immigrants from mainland China, the Indian sub-continent, north and west Africa and elsewhere. The communal, provincial and regional governments, progressive in outlook, are active in European community affairs, and have welcomed the presence of an Australian academic institution in the heart of their city.
Prato has a rich historical and artistic patrimony, including a mid 13th century castle built by the Hohenstaufen Emperors, almost perfectly preserved medieval walls which enclose the ancient city centre, a Romanesque cum Gothic cathedral dedicated to San Stefano with an external pulpit by Donatello and Michelozzo, the church of S.Maria delle Carceri by Giuliano San Gallo, and the well preserved Palazzo Datini, the fifteenth century home of the famous 'Merchant of Prato', Francesco Datini
Getting to Prato
Please click here to visit a webpage for practical information on how to get
to Prato.Shopping
Shops are usually open during the following hours:
Monday 4 pm - 7.30 pm Tuesday Saturday 8.30/9.30am-1.00pm
4 pm - 7.30 pmClothing stores may open later between 9.00am and 10.00am Most other stores will open between 8.30am and 9.00am Many food stores (bakeries etc.) close on Wednesday afternoons
What to do - Out of Prato
From Prato there are many great Italian towns and cities that are easily visited by train.
Florence
The best way to find out about Florences innumerable offerings is to go to the tourist information office at Via Cavour, 1r.
Open:
Monday to Saturday 8.30am - 6.30pm
Sundays and public holidays 8.30am - 1.30pm
http://www.aboutflorence.com or http://www.studentsville.it/
Day Trips from Prato
Many of Italy's most popular towns are easily reached by train from Prato.
Rome 2hrs 20mins (from Florence on the Eurostar) Bologna 45mins - 1hr Pisa 1hr 30mins Lucca 55 mins Viareggio (seaside town) 1hr 15 mins Where to Eat in Prato
Listed below is a selection of restaurants which have been recommended by the Monash University Prato Centre. Many restaurants are closed on Tuesdays and some on Mondays.
Restaurants/Pizzerie
Donchisciotte
Piazza Mercatale 38/39
Ph: 0574 39023
Delicious wood oven pizzas at a reasonable price, plus other main dishes including seafood.
Antica Fiaschetteria
Piazza Lippi 4
Ph: 0574 41225
This is easily the best medium priced restaurant in Prato. Mostly southern Italian inspired cooking. The service is friendly and there are a good range of wines available.
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La Veranda
Via dell'Arco 10 (just off Piazza San Marco)
Ph: 0574 38235
Serves typical Tuscan dishes and a wide variety is available. Efficient service with menus in English if needed. Main courses priced slightly higher than 'trattoria' prices.
Il Rifrullo
Piazza Mercatale 18/19
Ph: 0574-25062
Simple pizzeria, but good, cheap entrees and big sized pasta/rice portions.
Pizzas also good and inexpensive. Can take larger groups.
Outdoor section available.