The origins of the town are dating back from the Roman times but it is from the 12th century that the town becomes one of the first city-state in Italy. The arrival in the city of the relic of one of the most venerated saint in the whole Christianity, James the Great from Galicia, made Pistoia an important religious stop for pilgrims that were going on their route towards Santiago de Compostela along the nearby “via Francigena”medieval path. It was the period of major development of the city which is covered by works of art realized by the most important artists of the time like Gruamonte who made the sculpted pilasters of the most famous churches in the city; Guidi, one of the most famous art studio for sculpting; Nicola Pisano present in several city works and his son Giovanni who made in Sant’Andrea church of the most celebrated Romanesque art pulpit in Italy. Pistoia Civic Museum conserves a collection of beautiful paintings and sculptors from the middle age to baroque. Pistoia is also famous for contemporary art belonging both to private collections and public installations from world famous artists.