Cascina
Comune in Tuscany, site of a 1364 battle between Pisa and Florence.
Cascina is a town and municipality in Tuscany's Province of Pisa. It sits on flat land along the Arno River's left bank, roughly 60 kilometers west of Florence and 13 kilometers southeast of Pisa. Its neighboring municipalities are Calcinaia, Collesalvetti, Crespina, Casciana Terme Lari, Pisa, Pontedera, San Giuliano Terme, and Vicopisano.
Quick Facts
- Official name
- Comune di Cascina
- Region
- Tuscany
- Province
- Pisa (PI)
- Mayor party
- Partito Democratico
- Mayor
- Michelangelo Betti
- Area (km²)
- 79.2
- Population
- 45373
- Demonym
- Cascinesi
Facts from the source article.
History
The first mention of Cascina dates to a document of 750 AD. The name's origin is uncertain, possibly from Casina, a disappeared creek, or an Etruscan name Latinized as Cassenius. On 26 July 1364, the Battle of Cascina was fought between Pisa and Florence. Michelangelo later reproduced the event in a painting, of which preparatory drawings and a copy by Aristotile da Sangallo survive. The town was a fortified stronghold on the main road connecting the two cities.
Main sights
Medieval walls and the Castle of Ripoli are present. Religious buildings include the Pieve di Santa Maria, Oratorio di San Giovanni, Church of the Madonna dell'Acqua, and the parish church of Saints Ippolito and Cassiano. In Zambra is a 9th-century church with pre-Romanesque fish wall paintings. At San Casciano is a basilica renovated in the 12th century in Pisane-Gothic style. Marciana has the 10th-century church of San Miniato, and Montione the Abbey of San Savino.
More in Castles in Italy
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