Cascine di Tavola Park

Stage 1: Prato-Artimino

Explore the green heart of Prato: the Cascine di Tavola Park, a 300-hectare oasis which is the true pulsating lung of the city. Born way back in the 15th century thanks to the brilliant project of Lawrence the Magnificent, this park was an integral part of the ancient agricultural estate of the Medici Villa of Poggio a Caiano.

Since it is immersed in an area characterized by frequent floods, a network of canals was created to manage the waters between Tavola and Bonistallo. An imposing embankment was built along the Ombrone river, while the Farm or Cascina, with its majesty, supplied the entire city of Florence with its products. The structure, anchored in history and surrounded by moats and fortified walls, refers to the architecture of Lombard farmhouses.

Time has seen the estate pass from hand to hand, undergoing significant transformations. Today, although it hosts a popular golf course, it maintains an area dedicated to agriculture.
Large expanses of meadows and wooded areas, inhabited by a rich variety of flora and fauna, make the Cascine di Tavola a fascinating place, ideal for relaxing walks or cycling excursions. An unmissable experience to connect with nature in a context full of history.

The Cascine di Tavola Park is also the starting point of the Medici Route, a 78.3 km path that connects Prato to Fucecchio, crossing 8 other municipalities and offering an immersion in history and nature.

Please remember that access to the Cascine di Tavola is not permitted to dogs, as it is a wildlife breeding area.