Situated in the heart of northern Tuscany, in the plain between Pistoia and Florence and nestled at the foot of Montalbano, lies the latest stop on our journey through the Italy of enterprises: Quarrata.
It has a population of around 26,000 and, although famous throughout Italy and abroad as the City of Furniture for its extraordinary craft and industrial tradition in home furnishings, its roots go back to much ancient times, recalling the Roman era and the historic trade routes that once connected the territories of Pistoia and Florence.
History and present: a city of craftsmen with ancient roots
While modern industrial Quarrata took shape in the post-war era, its territory boasts a far older and more complex history. In fact, its origins date back to the 1st century BC, during the Roman era, when the region between Pistoia and Florence was largely a marshy expanse. It was thanks to an impressive land reclamation project and the subsequent division of agricultural lands that the area began to be settled.
During the Middle Ages, the heart of the area became the fortified village of Tizzana, perched on the Montalbano hills and mentioned in historical records starting from the 10th century. Its strategic position along the routes connecting Pistoia and Florence made it a fiercely contested battlefield between Ghibelline Pistoia and Guelph Florence. The region finally achieved stability under Florentine rule, which consolidated between the 14th and 15th centuries, followed by the rise of the Medici family: in 1583, the historic Medici Villa La Màgia was purchased by Francesco I de’ Medici, transforming the area into a flourishing estate and hunting reserve.
Until the first half of the 20th century, Quarrata remained a predominantly agricultural community, known mostly for the skilled craft of hand embroidery performed by local women. However, the true revolution came after World War II. Beginning in the 1950s and continuing for two decades, Quarrata experienced an overwhelming economic and industrial boom, transforming itself into a renowned center for furniture and sofa manufacturing. It first conquered national and then international markets, culminating in officially receiving the title of “City” by presidential decree in 1969.
As for the origin of its name, Quarrata reflects the very first transformation of its land. Linguistically, the name derives from the Latin word Quadrata, recalling the grand reclamation projects and land division carried out by the Romans in the Pistoia plain. This system involved dividing agricultural land into regular, square plots—known precisely as quadrata—meant for cultivation and distribution to settlers. Thus, the name Quarrata stands as a lasting testament to how this land has always been intertwined with human ingenuity and the ability to organize work and soil.
What to visit in Quarrata: from Villa La Màgia to the protected Area of La Querciola
Quarrata offers a rich artistic and natural heritage, allowing visitors to explore unique, lesser-known, yet surprising locations.
The true jewel of the city is undoubtedly Villa La Màgia. Originally built in 1335 by the Panciatichi family, it was purchased in 1583 by Francesco I de’ Medici. In 2013, it was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site along with the other Medici Villas. In addition to its elegant, richly decorated historical rooms, since 2005 the villa has hosted the “Genius Loci” Contemporary Art Park, an open-air museum where installations by internationally renowned artists blend harmoniously with the surrounding nature and landscape.
Moving into the city center, one of the symbolic landmarks is certainly the Pieve di San Bartolomeo, a spiritual and cultural focal point for the community. Written records of this building date back to 1258; however, the church in its current form is the result of a Neoclassical reconstruction begun in 1853 to a design by surveyor Camillo Giovannini and completed with its consecration in 1873. It features a three-nave layout with an interior enriched by polychrome marble altars. It also houses an extraordinary piece of master craftsmanship: a historic pipe organ built in 1853 by Nicomede Agati, a prominent member of the famous Pistoia family of organ builders. Completing the church is the imposing bell tower, erected in the early 20th century (around 1914), which towers today over Piazza Risorgimento.
For lovers of archaeology and ancient history, the territory of Quarrata offers captivating journeys back in time. Set on the hills surrounding Quarrata lies the ancient fortified village of Tizzana, whose earliest traces date back to the 10th century. As explained earlier, it was a stronghold long contested between Ghibelline Pistoia and Guelph Florence, and the village retains its medieval charm intact today, featuring its characteristic castle tower and the remains of defensive walls overlooking the plain below. Continuing toward the border with Carmignano, visitors can explore the heights of Pietramarina: an archaeological area of Etruscan origin with evidence dating back to the 5th century BC, which preserves the mysterious monolith of the Rocca del Diavolo (“Devil’s Rock”), an ancient sacred site nestled in the woods.
Finally, those seeking tranquility and green spaces can visit part of the La Querciola Protected Natural Area, established in the 1990s. As one of the last remaining wetlands of the Pistoia plain, it serves as a vital ecological oasis and protected sanctuary for numerous species of marshland flora and fauna, making it ideal for birdwatching as a stopover for many migratory bird species. Another essential destination for nature lovers is the rich network of trails and unpaved roads across Montalbano: a landscape shaped by terraced olive groves and vineyards, lush woods of holm and chestnut trees, and rarer botanical species such as the lowland cork oak.
What to eat in Quarrata and its surroundings: fettunta, migliaccio pistoiese, and berlingozzi
Quarrata offers an authentic culinary journey through traditional Tuscan dishes, blended with the finest products of the Montalbano territory.
Starting with the appetizers, the fettunta is absolutely unmissable: toasted Tuscan bread seasoned with local Extra Virgin Olive Oil and rubbed with a clove of garlic. It is usually accompanied by crostini neri topped with liver pâté and a variety of cured meats, such as finocchiona.
When it comes to first courses, great classics like pappa al pomodoro and ribollita are never missing, but the true dish of rural tradition is maccheroni served with rabbit or duck: fresh handmade egg pasta cut into squares and tossed with a slow-cooked white or red ragù. It is the signature first course for major countryside celebrations.
The dish considered the true symbol of the territory is migliaccio pistoiese, an ancient recipe closely linked to pig slaughtering: it is a savory crepe made from fresh pig’s blood, broth, spices, and flour, cooked in a skillet and served with grated pecorino cheese or, less commonly, a sprinkle of sugar.
Among the most popular main courses, roast arista (pork loin) with potatoes stands out, seasoned with rosemary and garlic, alongside Florentine-style tripe, a humble yet flavorful land dish simmered with tomatoes, herbs, and finished with parmigiano or pecorino cheese.
For side dishes, Sorana beans or cannellini beans cooked in oil are a must. They are traditionally prepared “al fiasco” seasoned and placed inside a glass flask, covered with a cotton plug, and slow-cooked in a water bath or over a gentle flame for a couple of hours. Another staple is stewed black kale (cavolo nero), a fundamental ingredient for many winter soups and dishes.
For a sweet finish, the best choice is undoubtedly the Berlingozzo, an aniseed ring cake typical especially of the Carnival season. Another option is zuccherini: small, ring-shaped cookies flavored with anise and coated in a sugary glaze. They were once considered the symbolic sweet for rural weddings, and due to their dry texture crafted for a long shelf life, they are enjoyed dipped in Vinsanto or coffee alongside the more famous, classic cantucci.
Quarrata’s Companies: development and industry towards the future with ultra-broadband
Since the second post-war period, Quarrata has experienced significant industrial development. Originally a predominantly agricultural community tied to local craftsmanship, it rapidly evolved into one of the most dynamic productive engines in Tuscany. Thanks to its strategic location in the plain between Pistoia and Florence, the city established itself as an industrial center of excellence, becoming famous in Italy and abroad for its upholstered furniture and home decor district, while also welcoming companies in the textile, mechanical, and logistics sectors over time. Today, Quarrata represents a leading economic reference point at both regional and national levels, supported by a lively and versatile production network made up of both historic craft workshops and highly specialized medium and large enterprises.
Among the various companies in the district is Baldiflex, which specializes in the manufacturing of mattresses and sleep systems. It was founded in 1973 when the Baldi family opened an initial artisan workshop dedicated to mattress production in the Quarrata area. In subsequent years, the company renewed its identity by founding the Baldiflex brand. Beginning in the 2000s, the business underwent a strong digital transformation, becoming a benchmark for direct online sales and e-commerce nationwide. Additionally, in the first half of the 2010s, it launched the Cuccioletti line, dedicated entirely to pet wellness with memory foam beds and cushions. Today, in addition to offering a wide choice of products crafted with tailoring care, Baldiflex constantly invests in cutting-edge technology and efficient production processes, aiming to combine sleep comfort, accessibility, and material sustainability.
Another historic local company is Rosini, specialized in the home furnishings and upholstered furniture sector. Boasting over 40 years of history, it originated between the late 1970s and early 1980s as an artisan workshop crafting high-quality sofas and armchairs. Over the decades, thanks to manufacturing excellence and attention to detail, the business grew to earn a prominent role in both national and international markets. In 2020, the company expanded its product offering by introducing the Rosini Night line, dedicated to beds and sleep systems, thus evolving into the Rosini Home concept. Today, alongside a wide collection of home furnishings, Rosini continues to invest in design, material research, and technological innovation, blending artisan tradition with the needs of modern living.
A strategic reference point for the upholstery supply chain is Artigiangomma, a company specializing in polyurethane foam processing and the production of semi-finished goods for furniture. Its history began in September 1980 through the initiative of three partners who managed to transform a young business into a renowned center of excellence in Tuscany within a few short years. Initially established for traditional polyurethane foam shaping for slabs and cushions, the company progressively expanded its range to include sofa frame padding and, in the early 2000s, the sale of bed bases and mattresses. A further turning point came in 2014 with the acquisition of Toscana Piume, which allowed the integration of feather cushion production and the opening of a fully equipped prototyping department. Today, Artigiangomma collaborates with major international companies, combining tailored craftsmanship and advanced technologies to provide high-quality, comfortable, and durable semi-finished and finished products.
Looking to the future, Quarrata’s businesses are now ready for the next step in their competitive development: the implementation of advanced services such as IoT, AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing, thanks to the construction of an innovative fiber optic infrastructure offering up to 10G guaranteed transmission speeds created by FibreConnect.
Ultra-broadband will foster the development of new services and optimize production processes, making these industrial areas even more competitive and attractive to national and international investors.
This represents another step forward for our country’s economy and artisanal excellence, moving toward an increasingly connected and international future.