Buti | Cascine of Buti

Cascine of Buti in past centuries was a borderland between Pisa and Lucca. However, nothing remains of the ancient fortification that was set on fire by Castruccio Castracani. The only historical relic in the hamlet is an octagonal building called “La Risaia,” possibly used as a rice husking facility during the time of Grand Duke Francesco I. In the 19th century, during the brief period of Napoleonic rule, Cascine hosted a unit of the French gendarmerie that monitored the vast area encompassing Buti, Bientina, and Vicopisano.

On the Via Sarzanese Valdera, heading towards Lucca, you encounter a large wall that has been transformed into an art space, managed by artistic director Stefano Stacchini, who has received significant recognition in national and international competitions, including the Venice Art Biennale in 2011. Stacchini has paid tribute to the artist Banksy, who globally turned walls into true works of art. The mural “An Unknown Soldier of Pacifism” is enriched by an installation with the intervention of writer Gloria Baldi.

In Cascine di Buti, you can also find the former Cinema Vittoria, built by the residents in the post-World War II period, which represented the communicative space of the local community for many years. The hall today serves as a multifunctional space for theatrical performances, concerts, conferences, and film screenings.