Accommodation in Prato, Tuscany

Residence Manassei, Prato

The Residence Manassei, Prato is in the heart of the old town, just off the Piazza Commune, where you can see the spectacular Romanesque Duomo, with its Andrea della Robbia terracotta over the portal. Step inside and you can see superb frescoes by Fra' Filippo Lippi, depicting the martyrdom of St John the Baptist and St Stephen. There is also a pulpit designed by Donatello and Michelozzo, which is used for the ceremonial display of what is believed to be the Madonna's girdle, preserved in the cathedral and brought out only on special religious occasions.

If you are a fan of open-air music, head to the thirteenth-century Castello Imperatore, which makes an atmospheric backdrop for the concerts held in its courtyard every summer. Prato has three main galleries, the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Museo di Pittura Murale and the Museo Civico e Galleria Communale, but if these are not enough to satisfy your appetite for Renaissance art, Florence is just a short train-ride away. The Uffizi gallery has one of the best collections of paintings in the world, and the Bargello has an outstanding collection of sculptures.

This 3-star Prato hotel has a rich history of its own. It is housed in a palace which was home to the aristocratic Manassei family from as early as 1267 and to this day its walls are adorned with 14th-century frescoes. It has 11 small apartment-suites, with kitchenette, bathroom, TV and internet access. There is a dining terrace which catches plenty of sun and offers great views over the terracotta rooftops of Prato.

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Double room from €45