The itinerary to the discovery of an unusual and green city starts from the medieval village of Gonfienti located east of Prato and can be reached either by car or by bus, looking the line on Capautolinee site.
The village is known because in its surroundings in 1997 have come to light the remains of a large Etruscan city. Now the site is only partially excavated, but shows a big domus and other important finds. The site can be visited only during special openings.
From Gonfienti with a pleasant walking route (about three hours) or by bicycle (about an hour and a half) along a bike path, cared for and lit, which winds along the river bank, you can discover a part of the city from an unusual point of view.
Going up the right bank of the Bisenzio you meet the Petrino Bridge recently built (1966), but realized on the ruins of the old bridge on the Bisenzio, probably built by the Roman general Marcus Petreius, called Petrino (110 BC - April 46 BC), skillful engineer who fought against Catiline in Pistoia and defeated him.
Today only a few ruins remain of the old bridge.
Continuing our itinerary we arrive at the Central Station and then with a short section at the old Mercatale Bridge. There are many buildings of architectural interest which overlook this river stretch: the Bastione delle Forche (gallows bastion), the Case Nuove (new houses), the former Casa del Fascio (House of Fascism) and beautiful Liberty villas. Continuing the itinerary you will meet the "Cantiere" (yard), a triangle of densely urbanized area, caught between the railway line to Bologna, Pistoia and Pisa and the river Bisenzio