The Cascine
The Park of the Cascine is the biggest public park in Florence (more than 118 ha). The park is a narrow and long section of land situated between the Arno River and the smaller Mugnone River. Its main entrance is located in Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
The hub of the former property was purchased by Alessandro de Medici, first Duke of Florence, in 1530 approx. He commissioned the construction of a farm house and gradually he got ready to run the soil for cattle breeding. Alessandro de Medici commissioned as well the construction of a large boulevard drew by pine trees across its surface.
After his death, occurred in 1537, Cosimo I de Medici, first Grand Duke of Tuscany, expanded the area acquiring the whole agricultural estates. He changed them into a huge beautiful wooden park for private use of the Medici family and their descendants. Other further boulevards and avenues were layout flanked by flower beds, as well as covering the land with ilex and oak groves and pine, elm and maple trees.
In 1737, when the last descendant in the Medici line -Giangastone de Medici – died, the Cascine Park passed to the new Grand Dukes of Tuscany, the Habsburg- Lorraine, who granted it to the city of Florence for the enjoyment of the citizens.
In 1787, Giuseppe Manetti, the eminent Florentine architect, was designated by Leopold I of Habsburg- Lorraine, Grand Duke of Tuscany, to change the old farm house into a palace mansion. The arcades of the mansion were ornamented with splendid medallions of bull heads. The architect conducted as well the reorganization of the Cascine Park and run the festivities and social events. The galas arranged in 1791 by Manetti to celebrate the enthronement of the Archduke of Austria, Ferdinand III -who was born and perished in Florence - as Grand Duke of Tuscany were so fabulous as to be documented in detail in the historiography of the capital city of Tuscany.
The palace mansion was mainly used by the members of the Habsburg-Lorraine’s court to keep parties and receptions.
Since the last decade of the 18th century and during the 19th century the Cascine Park was progressively extended and embellished with new boulevards, squares and avenues, as well as a series of tiny neo-classical monuments such as pretty fountains, refreshment rooms for the gardeners, moulded like minuscule temples, lovely benches and other decorative elements.
The most celebrated fountain is the wonderful pyramidal Fonte di Narciso. In autumn 1819, the brilliant British poet Percival Bysshe Shelley (Co. Sussex, August 1792 - Rome, July 1822) wrote nearby the fountain his notable Ode to the West Wind. A plaque with some verses was enclosed at the base of the fountain to commemorate that act. Since then the fountain is called Narcissus.
In 1867, the Florentine Municipality decided to open a Café Restaurant in the Piazzale delle Cascine (the largest square of the Park). In 1868 “Doney” was inaugurated.
In 1906, some years before “Doney” was definitively closed, several rooms located on the first floor were granted to a society which set up the first Agricultural School for Women. Few years later the above mentioned School was moved into a new building located in Via delle Cascine. Nowadaysit isthe Istituto Agronomico per l’Oltremare (the Overseas Agronomic Institute).
In 1914, by initiative of the Florentine authorities the well-known Forestry Institute of Vallombrosa moved into the building of the former Cafè Restaurant, which was been appropriately renovated and enlarged with two lateral aisles.
In 1924, after the construction of new buildings and the remodelling of the two lateral aisles, which were changed into laboratories and study rooms, the Forestry Institute of Vallombrosa obtained the academician recognition of Regio Istituto Superiore Agrario e Forestale. At the present, it is the Faculty of Agriculture of the Università degli Studi di Firenze.
The Cascine Park probably is the Florentine’s favourite park for walking, having picnics, and enjoying the good climate of the capital city. It is mostly frequented by families with little children, couples of pensioners, young people, as well as sportsmen like, joggers, bikers and horse riders who go riding by the large racetrack. The well-known Ippodromo delle Muline (racecourse) is located not far from the park.
On the east side of the Park there is huge uncovered swimming pool for summertime. On the west side there is an open auditorium where dance performances and concerts are usually held in summer. It is also a well-liked basketball play-ground. It is really interesting to look at the Amateur basketball matches which are carried on Saturday afternoon.
On the “Ascension Day” it is held an ancient Florentine tradition: the “Festival of the Cricket”. The tradition consists of placing a cricket on the doorstep of the chosen young lady. A popular legend says that any young man who will reach his objective will marry her.
Amateur cricket matches are habitual in the Cascine Park. In fact, there are some good stands selling cricket’s sets.
Not far from Piazzale delle Cascine there is the peculiar sepulchre of an Indian prince who died in Florence. According to his religion he was buried at the confluence of two rivers: the Arno River and the Mugnone River.
The Cascine Park opens daily from 8 am to 6 pm (autumn and winter) and from 7 am to 9 pm (spring and summer).
The Cascine Market
Every Tuesday morning, from 8 am to 2 pm, runs the largest open market in Florence. In the charming market people can buy any imaginable thing. From flowers, fruits and vegetables to general groceries; house ware standards; clothing; accessories; shoes; bijouterie; antiquities and a pretty long etc.
West Side of Florence
The Cathedrals : Basilica di Santa Maria Novella , Chiesa Santa Trinitá , Chiesa Ognissanti
Main Monuments :Piazza della Repubblica
Main Streets : Via Tornabuoni , Parco delle Cascine
Main Museums : Museo Marino Marini
Click here for compleate Florence Travel Guide
Click here for compleate Florence Travel Guide
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