Monash University Prato Centre

Palazzo Vaj
Pugliesi, 26 - Prato 59100
Italia
Tel: +39 0574 43691
Fax: +39 0574 436923
General enquiries: prato@ita.monash.edu

For detailed information and maps, visit Monash Prato Centre or See the Centre's exact location (Google Map).

Yet to be transformed by mass tourism, Prato provides a perfect environment for immersion in Italian language and culture. Its major sights are predominantly located with the town's medieval walls and in easy walking distance of the Monash Centre.

Prato is well connected by train to Florence (30 mins), Bologna (1 hour), Pisa (1 ½ hours), Lucca (1 hour), Rome (2 hours), Venice and Milan (3 hours), making it an excellent base from which to explore Italy.

Surrounding area

The Province of Prato embraces some magnificent countryside, which is well worth visiting. South of Prato lie the towns of Artimino, Poggio a Caiano with its famous Medici Villa, and Carmignano, an area famous for the production of DOC and DOCG wines and extra virgin olive oil. To the north there are the picturesque mountain towns of Vaiano and Vernio. The Prato Tourist Bureau can also provide information on archaeological, walking and wine tasting itineraries in the area.

Three kilometres from Prato is the 'Centro di Scienze Naturali' wildlife and recreational park, which is a centre for the care and rehabilitation of wild fauna. The area is over 8 hectares and has pedestrian paths throughout, allowing visitors to see a wide variety of flora and fauna. There's also a Natural Science Museum and a planetarium.

The park is easily reached from the Prato Central train station on the LAM bus 'Direzione Galceti' or look at the website for more detailed information, including opening times.

Prato is regularly connected by train to Florence (30 mins), Pistoia (20 mins), Pisa (1.5hrs), Lucca (1 hour) and the seaside resort of Viareggio (1.5hrs). For information regarding these towns and many more local attractions see the region's official website.

The central train station in Florence (Firenze Santa Maria Novella) has connections to all major Italian cities. See the Trenitalia website.