Garden Evenings at the Gualchiera di Coiano
Culture, theatre, and music in the garden of a restored medieval mill
About Garden Evenings
A cultural festival in the heart of Prato's memory
The Garden Evenings at the Gualchiera di Coiano are one of the most beloved summer festivals in the Coiano district of Prato, Tuscany. Every year, from June to the end of July, the garden of the ancient Gualchiera transforms into an open-air stage hosting dozens of free events: book presentations, plays, concerts, cabaret, lectures, documentaries, and film screenings. All evenings begin at 9:15 PM and take place outdoors, surrounded by the greenery of a site steeped in history.
The Gualchiera, a symbol of Prato's industrial archaeology
The Gualchiera di Coiano is a mill of medieval origin: a gualchiera (fulling mill) was the hydraulic facility where woollen cloth was fulled and felted, an activity that formed the foundation of Prato's historic textile vocation. Considered an authentic symbol of the region's industrial archaeology, it was among the most voted sites in the FAI "I Luoghi del Cuore" (Places of the Heart) census, receiving over seven thousand votes. Following a major restoration project funded by the PNRR and promoted by the Municipality of Prato, the premises have been brought back to life and now host cultural and social activities open to the public.
A rich and inclusive programme
The festival is organised by the association Insieme per il recupero della Gualchiera di Coiano APS, which has been enlivening the garden for years with the collaboration of numerous local Prato entities: including the Curzio Malaparte Documentation Centre, the Il Castello association, the Vainella Fresco Laboratory, Natya Goia, the Anna Magnani Film School, and the Leonardo School. The festival is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Prato and supported by local organisations.
- Book presentations with authors, journalists, and local scholars
- Theatrical performances, cabaret, and readings
- Concerts, ranging from pop to opera
- Lectures on art, history, and local heritage
- Documentaries and film screenings
An event for the neighbourhood and the city
The Garden Evenings are not just a calendar of shows, but a community project: proceeds from side initiatives support the restoration and enhancement of the Gualchiera. For those visiting Prato and its province in summer, it is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the city, far from the tourist circuits, where culture and industrial memory meet in a pleasant and accessible evening setting.
Garden Evenings — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Garden Evenings takes place from June 1 to July 27 with 22 free-entry evenings, all at 9:15 PM. The festival kicks off immediately after the official inauguration on May 30, 2026, of the Gualchiera premises restored thanks to PNRR funds, celebrated with a round table and an aperitif.
The programme weaves together, as per tradition, book presentations, performances, music, and cultural insights related to the Prato area, with the collaboration of numerous neighbourhood and city associations.
Programme Garden Evenings 2026
Opening — June
- June 1 — Presentation of the book on Rolando Bulletti. La tragedia del marinaio arruolato sul Cigno, with journalist Maria Serena Quercioli
- June 3 — Concert In-Tony-Amo una canzone with Tony Reale and the Prato Musical Group
- June 5 — Presentation of the volume La città delle cento ciminiere
- June 10 — Screening of the documentary dedicated to Calvana
- June 22 — Lecture on Beato Angelico and Filippo Lippi
- June 26 — Trame sonore with the Banda Chiti
- June 29 — Presentation of the book Tigri e colonie
July
The July programme continues with further events including theatre, music, and culture, until the final evening on July 27. Special events announced for this edition include a concert by soprano Viktoria Balan and the screening of the film Il Cristo proibito by Curzio Malaparte, in collaboration with the Malaparte Documentation Centre.
All evenings start at 9:15 PM in the garden of the Gualchiera di Coiano. The complete and updated calendar is published on the association's website.
Highlights Garden Evenings 2026
- Inauguration of the premises restored with PNRR funds (May 30)
- Concert by soprano Viktoria Balan
- Screening of the film Il Cristo proibito by Curzio Malaparte
- Trame sonore concert with the Banda Chiti
- 22 cultural evenings, all with free admission
Prices Garden Evenings 2026
Practical information — Garden Evenings
Location
Gualchiera di Coiano, Via della Gualchiera 35, Coiano district, Prato (Province of Prato, Tuscany).
How to get there
By car: from the A11 Firenze-Mare motorway, take the Prato Est or Prato Ovest exit, then follow signs for Coiano. By train: Prato Centrale or Prato Porta al Serraglio station, followed by a local bus to Coiano.
Times and admission
All evenings start at 9:15 PM. Admission is free for all events.
Contact
Associazione Insieme per il recupero della Gualchiera di Coiano APS — [email protected] — tel. +39 338 4686682.
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Where does it take place — Garden Evenings
Gualchiera di Coiano
Via della Gualchiera 35, Coiano, 59100 Prato