San Giorgio Library Pistoia

Inaugurated in 2007, the San Giorgio Library in Pistoia was designed by the Pica Ciamarra studio in Naples and is located in an area formerly occupied by industrial warehouses, once part of the historic former Breda company, which played a key role in Pistoia’s economic and social development.

This area dates back to the early twentieth century, when the Fabbrica San Giorgio, a factory designed by engineer Gino Coppedè for the production of automobiles and rail vehicles, was built near the railway station. Over time, the industry expanded to the point of employing thousands of workers and became a cornerstone of the local economy. During World War II, between 1943 and 1944, the factory was severely damaged by bombing that heavily impacted the facility. In the years that followed, the company went through several transformations and, in 1973, changed its name to Breda Costruzioni Ferroviarie, moving its production to a new, more suburban area of the city.

With around 350,000 volumes, welcoming spaces and state-of-the-art technology, the San Giorgio Library is a place of study, meeting and sharing. It has numerous reading rooms, areas dedicated to younger children, multimedia stations and a large section of comic books and graphic novels, one of the most well-stocked in Italy.

In addition to book lending, the library hosts cultural events, book presentations, exhibitions and workshops for all ages.

Thanks to its philosophy of accessibility and inclusion, the San Giorgio Library is not only a place of culture but a real reference point for the community, promoting knowledge and active participation. It is a place where knowledge is intertwined with the past and with daily life, making reading a unique experience.