The Cascine di Tavola: the missing part of the Medici Villa

To the left of the Ombrone River, on the opposite side of the imposing Medici Villa in Prato, is the Cascine di Tavola landscape complex. This natural area is one of the protected areas of Tuscany, which cannot be “damaged” by human intervention. The Cascine hosts a huge park, almost 300 hectares of land, today mainly marshy.

Inside the park, two main structures are recognizable: a medium-sized noble residence and an agricultural farm. Both structures can be visited in their entirety, and they collect evidence of the passage of the Medici family and its intervention in the construction.

The history of Cascine

Initially, the Cascine di Tavola was also part of the garden of the Villa Medicea, built around the mid-fifteenth century at the behest of Lorenzo the Magnificent.

In fact, they were part of the original project, which included the reclamation of the land and the construction of a summer residence. The goal was to build an “ agricultural ” area, where the family could relax in the summer and where it would be possible to build a small farm capable of producing vegetables and fruit for their consumption.

Unfortunately, Lorenzo the Magnificent did not live to see the project completed, as the work was finished after his death. However, the Medici family committed to carrying out their idea, so that the Cascine finally saw the light of day.

Over time, the Cascine was used as a farm and as an agricultural complex for the production of cheese and the cultivation of vegetables and orchards. The subsequent owners of the Villa Medicea abandoned the Cascine, which over time was transformed into an autonomous complex that was later entrusted to the Municipality of Prato.

The Cascine di Tavola landscape complex

As anticipated, the visit to the Cascine di Tavola park brings with it the discovery of two main structures.

The stately home, known by the name of “Cascine”, owes its construction to the architect Giuliano Sangallo, who was also entrusted with the design of the Villa Medicea.

It is a rigorous building, with an elegant and refined appearance, which stands out completely white among the green of the surrounding woods.

The second structure, the agricultural farm, is divided into four small complexes:

• the Boat Shed,
• the Pollen Farm,
• the Cheesemaker's House and
• the Guard House.

Each of these complexes can be visited in its entirety and offers guests a direct glimpse into the past and history of the Cascine.

Admiring such an imposing complex, a demonstration of the magnificence of Renaissance constructions allows you to dive into the memory of what was thought and conceived, and at the same time you can rediscover the values and ideas that animated the genius of figures such as Lorenzo the Magnificent and the Medici family.