A pilgrimage route through Tuscany
The Cammino di San Jacopo is one of the most evocative ways to approach Pistoia. The city has long been associated with Saint James the Greater, whose relic is preserved in the Cathedral of San Zeno. This spiritual link has earned Pistoia the affectionate title of “Italy’s Little Santiago” and makes the historic centre an important stop for modern pilgrims travelling across Tuscany.
Follow the bronze scallop shells
Throughout the old town, bronze scallop shells mark the routes leading towards Piazza del Duomo and the cathedral. The shell is the universal symbol of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. In Pistoia, it also offers visitors an easy and fascinating trail through medieval streets, lively squares and some of the city’s most characteristic corners.
Historic roads meeting in Pistoia
The marked route connects several ancient itineraries, including the Cammino di San Jacopo, the Cammino di San Bartolomeo, the Romea Strata, the Via Francesca della Sambuca and the Via Romea Imperiale. Travellers enter the centre from different directions before converging on Piazza del Duomo, while those continuing west can walk towards Pescia and Lucca.
What to look for along the way
The shells can be found along streets such as Via degli Orafi, Via della Madonna, Via Puccini, Piazza della Sala, Via di Stracceria, Via della Torre, Via Filippo Pacini, Via Sant’Andrea, Via di Porta al Borgo and Via di Porta San Marco. Near Via degli Orafi, a pilgrimage marker installed in 2019 indicates the onward routes towards Rome and Santiago de Compostela.
A rewarding walk for every visitor
You do not need to be an experienced pilgrim to enjoy the route. Allow a few hours to follow the symbols at a relaxed pace, visit the Cathedral of San Zeno and pause in the cafés and small shops of the centre. Comfortable shoes are useful, and the walk is especially pleasant in the morning or late afternoon.