Though the Cities of Prato and Florence lie within a few miles of one another, they are like chalk and cheese. The Pratese roll their sleeves up and get their hands dirty (mostly in the textile industry on which Prato has grown rich),whilst the Florentines prefer to pursue a more aesthetic line of endeavour. 'Lazy', say the Pratese of the Florentines; 'philistines', say the Florentinés of the Pratese.

Casual tourists wouldn't know about Prato, whizzing past as they do on their way to Florence. Industrial though it is, it has a pleasant, down- to-earth air and some outstanding sights, including the exterior pul­pit on the Duomo, where the sacred Virgin's Girdle is displayed five times a year. To the south of Prato there are notable villas at Poggio a Caiano and at Artimino; to the north, pleasant, hilly country merges into the Appenine foothills.