Piazza della Sala: Pistoia's Vibrant Heart

Piazza della Sala is one of the main squares in the historic center of Pistoia, carrying a rich history from the Lombard era to its present-day status as a social and economic center. The square's name derives from its role during Lombard rule when it housed the 'curtis domini regis,' the palace of the Gastaldo. Over time, Piazza della Sala transformed into the city's daily food market. Small shops lined the square and nearby streets, featuring wooden doors, stone counters, and overhanging roofs supported by wooden corbels. The Opera di San Jacopo managed the market, granting permits and overseeing merchants' activities. In 1451, the Opera prohibited open-air butchering and constructed adjacent butcher shops. The square features the Pozzo del Leoncino (Well of the Little Lion), dating back to the Middle Ages. In 1451, the well was enhanced with a white and green marble parapet and later adorned with a stone lion, symbolizing Florentine rule over Pistoia. In 1954, a concrete structure for the covered market was erected in the square, sparking controversy. This structure was removed in 1989, and the Pozzo del Leoncino was returned to its original location. Adjacent to Piazza della Sala is the Piazzetta dell'Ortaggio, which once housed Pistoia's Jewish Ghetto. Today, the piazzetta features the bronze sculpture 'Giro del Sole' by Roberto Barni. Piazza della Sala is now the heart of Pistoia's nightlife, filled with bars, restaurants, and clubs. The square hosts a daily fruit and vegetable market (except on Sundays).