Good morning from Pistoia. Today’s briefing brings together seven of the most relevant developments across the city and province, from the response to African swine fever and pressure on the Porrettana road to new public investment, international cooperation and practical information for the San Jacopo celebrations.
African swine fever response expands. Emergency commissioner Giovanni Filippini says the outbreak affecting the Pistoia mountain area can still be contained through coordinated action. The affected zone now includes San Marcello Piteglio, and the first case has been reported at a domestic pig farm. Authorities are calling for tighter cooperation among health services, local institutions, farmers and hunters, including measures to reduce the wild-boar population. Source: Il Tirreno – Pistoia.
Porrettana roadworks trigger long delays. Three temporary traffic lights on the Porrettana have generated kilometre-long queues and delays of up to about 30 minutes, prompting Mayor Marco Breschi to raise the concerns of residents and commuters. The situation is especially sensitive on busy summer days, when the route carries both local and mountain traffic. Source: La Nazione – Pistoia.
Montecatini outlines a UNESCO relaunch. A council commission has reviewed a programme to strengthen Montecatini Terme’s role within the Great Spa Towns of Europe. The work includes updates to the property management plan, the next state-of-conservation report and a youth-focused sustainability project, alongside participation in heritage and tourism events. Source: La Nazione – Montecatini.
Work begins on a new community hall in Massa e Cozzile. Construction has started on a €920,000 multipurpose venue serving the nearby nursery, primary and middle schools. The regional government is contributing €450,000. The accessible building is designed to host educational, cultural, social and recreational activities for both students and the wider community. Source: La Nazione – Montecatini.
Pistoia opens a path toward twinning with Jericho. Mayor Giovanni Capecchi and the municipal executive have met Rasheed Khudeiri, a farmer, activist and coordinator of Jordan Valley Solidarity. The meeting launched a dialogue intended to begin the formal, and potentially lengthy, process of establishing a sister-city relationship between Pistoia and Jericho in the West Bank. Source: Report Pistoia.
San Jacopo celebrations enter their main phase. First Vespers and the chapter Mass begin at 5:30 p.m. today in the Cathedral of San Zeno, followed by the traditional fireworks near the Sant’Agostino Luna Park at around 11 p.m. From 9 p.m. until 1 a.m., access and parking restrictions will affect parts of Via Dino Buzzati, Via Luigi Salvatorelli and Via Enrico Fermi. Emergency access will remain available. Source: Comune di Pistoia.
Astronomy and cinema round out Friday’s programme. At 9 p.m., the Spedaletto sports field hosts an astronomy evening titled “The Magic of the Stars,” organised with the Quasar association. In Pistoia, the open-air cinema programme continues at 9:30 p.m. with François Ozon’s The Stranger, adapted from Albert Camus; admission is €3.50. Source: Comune di Pistoia.
This original English briefing was compiled on July 24, 2026 after reviewing Report Pistoia, Il Tirreno – Pistoia, La Nazione – Pistoia/Montecatini and official Comune di Pistoia updates. Overlapping and previously covered stories were removed.