Prato

Prato is the third largest city in Italy after Rome and Florence. It is situated in the Tuscany region. It was founded by the Etruscans in the ancient times. And the surrounded territories were inhabited since Paleolithic times.

Prato is a center of the slow food movement, with all local specialities like cantucci (a biscuit sold specially by bakers. ). It was organised in 1986 with an intention to resist the opening of a McDonald's near the Spanish Steps in Rome. Now the chapters of this organization that struggle with fast food exist all over the world and include more than 100,000 members in 132 counties.

Prato is considered to be one of the most commercial and business cities in all Tuscany region. The double-entry book-keeping was invented here. The man who did it was one of the most richest popple in the world in that time. "The merchant of Prato" Francesco Datini, lived during 1330-1410.

There is the second largest Chinese diaspora in Italy is situated. There is more than 10 thousand of legal Chinese residents in Prato. And according to statistics that include illegal immigrant there are more than 45 thousand of Chinese citizens. They came here from Chinatown in Paris and other overseas Chinese diasporas. Chinatown is situated in the west part and historical part of the city.

Prato is very interesting by its historical and cultural places of interest. Lots of museums, buildings of different architectural styles and monuments are located there. The most famous of them are the Filippo Lippi frescoes in the Cathedral of Santo Stefano, Palazzo Pretorio build in 13 century from white and red bricks, the Palazzo Datini founded in 1383 and many others.