The church of the Holy Spirit, once dedicated to the Holy Annunciation, was built by the devout Servite Fathers in the mid-14th century, together with the adjacent monastery. It underwent numerous renovations between the 16th and 17th centuries, until it obtained its current shape. The convent, however, was suppressed at the end of the 18th century on the orders of bishop Scipione de' Ricci. However, the church obtained its current dedication in 1784 and was enriched with works of art from other suppressed churches and oratories.

On the plastered side of the church there are two majestic sixteenth-century portals, which lead towards the interior. The gaze is immediately captured by a sumptuous baroque wooden choir loft, sculpted and painted in the mid-eighteenth century, which stands on the end wall.

Once you cross the threshold, the interior of the church is revealed in all its magnificence. The single nave is adorned with a wooden trussed ceiling, while the plastered walls contain priceless works of art. Among these, the paintings by Filippo Lippi, Santi di Tito and Jacopo di Cione stand out. In particular, the Presentation in the Temple, a valuable panel located on the right wall of the church, attracts the gaze of visitors. Commissioned to Filippo Lippi, it was then carried out by Fra Diamante and his collaborators way back in 1468, as payment documents attest.

At the depth of the choir, we find a magnificent Pentecost panel made by Santi di Tito in 1598 for the Company of the Holy Spirit of San Vincenzino, which once stood in San Domenico square. But the artistic embellishment of the church does not end there. An ancient panel dating back to 1360-1380, attributed to Iacopo di Cione, famous Florentine painter of the fourteenth century and brother of Andrea (known as l'Orcagna), stands majestically. This work depicts the Annunciation and, in the predella below, the fascinating scenes of the Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi, the Presentation to the Magi, Christ among the doctors, the Baptism of Christ and the Ascension.

The church of the Holy Spirit is a chest of artistic treasures, a place where the soul is nourished by beauty and spirituality. A place that deserves to be discovered and admired, immersing yourself in the depth of its paintings and letting yourself be transported by the centuries of history that offer you a unique atmosphere. Every detail, from the sumptuousness of the Baroque choir loft to the delicate brushstrokes of the Renaissance paintings, tells stories of faith, devotion and artistic mastery.

The church, with its troubled past and its rebirth after the fire of 1647, represents a symbol of resilience and spiritual rebirth. Despite the losses suffered, its seventeenth-century structure continues to house masterpieces spanning from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century.

The first lights of dawn, when the church is open for only a few hours, add a touch of mystery and sacredness to its charm. It is an invitation to immerse yourself in the silence and solemnity of this place, to contemplate the works of art that tell of sacred moments and of faith lived intensely.

Crossing the threshold of this church means embarking on a journey through time, to a place where spirituality manifests itself through colours, brush strokes and narratives painted on the walls. It is an invitation to share a moment of contemplation and to be moved by the majesty and depth of the works of art that adorn its walls.

The church of the Holy Spirit is an essential stop for those who wish to immerse themselves in the art, history and spirituality of Prato. It is a place that awakens emotions and nourishes the soul, leaving an indelible mark in the hearts of those lucky enough to visit it.