Palazzo Azzolini

You’re standing in front of Palazzo Azzolini, an elegant building on Via Roma, right in the heart of Pistoia. Built in the early 20th century for the city’s savings bank, it takes clear inspiration from the great palaces of the Florentine Renaissance. Its façade is regular and well balanced, giving a strong sense of solidity and trust, while a few decorative touches in glazed ceramic reflect local Tuscan traditions. But the real surprise is inside. As you step in, you enter a space entirely designed by Galileo Chini, one of the leading figures of Italian Art Nouveau. He created a complete decorative scheme, covering the walls, staircases, and ceilings with frescoes filled with floral, symbolic, and colorful motifs, transforming the whole atmosphere. The contrast is striking: a rather classical and understated exterior, and an interior that feels rich and surprisingly modern for its time. And there’s a nice detail, this is still an active bank. You can step inside during the week and enjoy the décor freely, without the feeling of visiting a museum.