Pistoia – It is one of the most anticipated events of the Pistoia summer, the Feast of San Bartolomeo, protector of children. A celebration that begins on Friday, August 23, and ends on Saturday, August 24, deeply felt and participated in by the city, alternating liturgical moments with fun activities dedicated to the little ones, including the presence in the area of Piazza San Bartolomeo of the traditional market for toys and sweets, complete with the unmissable “crown of San Bartolomeo” made of large shortcrust biscuits called “pippi”, alternated with candies, sweets, and chocolates, which is placed around the children’s necks. A typically Pistoiese delicacy.
Today, Saturday, August 24, three Holy Masses are scheduled: the first at 8 AM, the second at 10 AM celebrated by the Bishop of Pistoia Fausto Tardelli, and the third at 7 PM. The blessing of the faithful, always in individual form, will begin at 9 AM until 10 AM, then from 11 AM to 1 PM, and then resume at 3:30 PM until 7 PM, and finally from 8 PM to 11 PM. Blessings and Holy Masses will take place in the garden of the church of San Bartolomeo.
During the festival, there will be activities for children in the garden of the church of San Bartolomeo, and as always, the stalls of candies and toys will be present around Piazza San Bartolomeo.
On the occasion of the Feast of San Bartolomeo, the Civic Museums will be open with free entrance. On Saturday, August 24, the Civic Museum of Ancient Art at the Town Hall, the Museum of the Spedale del Ceppo, and the Museum of the 20th and Contemporary Art at Palazzo Fabroni will be open from 11 AM to 7 PM with free admission. The exhibition REVOX by Federico Tiezzi. From Millennium Portraits (1986) to Vasari. The Lives (2021-2023) can also be visited at Palazzo Fabroni until Sunday, September 15.
Also, from 11 AM to 7 PM, it will be possible to visit the church of San Jacopo in Castellare (free admission for a maximum of 50 people). In collaboration with Fondazione Caript and Fondazione Pistoia Musei.