Why visit Buti and Monte Pisano?

The origins of the name of Buti are not very clear. Someone attribute it to "Buti Castrum", an ancient feudal lord of the place. Others, however, make it derive from "Bucita", a medieval name whose meaning is "ox grazing". But a plaque found in one of the churches in the town, however, has led to think of even older origins dating back to the Roman era.

This small town is located on the banks of the Rio Magno and this is the reason why in Buti we find many ancient water mills.

However, its fame has always been linked to the production of olive oil: in previous eras, up to 30 mills operating in the area were counted, of which some ancient stone millstones remain today. Another ancient activity of Buti, in the past carried out by women, is the production of "corbelli": baskets obtained by weaving fresh branches of chestnut. The most pleasant aspect of the village is its marked party and friendly character: there are numerous "sagre", country festivals dedicated to a particular local food, such as the famous "trippa butese". Lovers of wine and horses, the inhabitants of Buti, go crazy with joy in January when the Palio di S. Antonio takes place: every district of the town parades in a historical parade through the streets of the town awaiting the race of the horses. Once the race is over, the horse, the jockey and the winning contests will be awarded prizes and the celebrations will begin and continue throughout the night ...

In addition to the well-known Villa Medicea located in the heart of the village, Buti can surprise the visitor with other places worthy of interest, such as the Tonini Castle, which overlooks the town; the Romanesque church of San Francesco and that of the Ascensione Church, also known as Santa Maria delle Nevi. The latter can be reached by going up from Buti along the "via dei Molini", the road that leads to Monte Serra, and which was once characterized by the presence of several water mills. The small Francesco di Bartolo Theater (dedicated to what was the first commentator of the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri) is also of considerable interest, a structure built in 1842 according to the architectural canons of the academic theaters of the early '800.

Monte Pisano and the province of Pisa in general, are a very rich territory of spas.

The precious effects of the thermal waters of San Giuliano Terme were discovered by the Etruscans and then by the Romans, who built the first structures to exploit the benefits. Today this town boasts one of the most beautiful thermal complexes of Tuscany: the Bagni di Pisa, a 5-star spa that was once the summer residence of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Francesco Stefano di Lorena.

The Thermal Park of Uliveto, in the municipality of Vicopisano, is an elegant garden that offers many opportunities for recreation, in addition to those more specifically thermal. From the ancient fountains the water flows fresh and available throughout the year for hydropinic treatment. The Acqua di Uliveto is particularly suitable for those who play sports and physical activity and is suggested in athletic diets. Inside the Uliveto Thermal Park you will also find a 5-lane swimming pool and two tennis courts. The green areas of the park are an ideal place to run, to do gymnastics or yoga.

In Casciana Terme the large outdoor thermal pool allows you to spend entire days alternating with dives, to the pleasure of lying down on the soft grass of the surrounding park: 500 square meters of continuously renewed thermal water with a constant depth of 1.30 meters is the ideal place for singles, couples or whole families.

The long road that runs along the slopes of the Pisan mountains, called "lungomonte", is characterized by many ancient villages, fortresses, monasteries, parish churches and castles, remains of fortifications and aqueducts.

One of these villages is Calci, whose name derives from the Latin calx, calcis, or lime, material present in the nearby stone quarries. Here you will find the famous Certosa: one of the largest monastic complexes in Tuscany dating back to 1366.

Located in a valley of great landscape value cultivated with olive groves, known as Valgraziosa, the Certosa today houses the Museum of Natural History and the Territory.

San Giuliano Terme, located on the south-western slopes of Monte Pisano, is a famous spa town known since ancient times for the benefits of its spring waters.

Vecchiano is renowned thanks to the nearby seaside resort of Marina di Vecchiano, a beautiful stretch of sandy coastline with the majestic view of the Apuan Alps behind it. Every year in April there is the "Spring Fair" where you can taste the typical sweets (like the "torta coi bischeri") and admire the old crafts.

 In Vicopisano, a splendid medieval village, you can visit the castle, and the Rocca, built by the Brunelleschi in 1435, which incorporated an ancient tower dating back to the 12th century, the Tower of Santa Maria. The Rocca has a typical medieval structure: from the high walls with battlements, from which boiling oil was thrown on the assailants, today we can enjoy a panorama of fields and hills, in an atmosphere of peace and serenity. Very interesting are: the church in Pieve di Santa Maria (10th century), Palazzo Pretorio (14th century), the medieval towers and the Via Crucis (18th century).

Continuing south we meet the villages of the Pisan hills and the wine route called "strada del vino delle colline pisane" : not to be missed are the village of Lari and its Castello dei Vicari, S. Miniato, famous for its truffles, and the splendid Volterra, the Etruscan city.

One of the typical products of the area that extends along the Pisani River is olive oil, famous for its quality that comes from the favors of a climate and a land particularly suited to make this oil one of the most prized of the peninsula.

The Strada dell' Olio  del Monte Pisano flows along the foothills road, crossing the towns of Vecchiano, San Giuliano Terme, Calci, Buti and Vicopisano, between terraces planted with olive trees, olive mills, farms surrounded by greenery and elegant villas.

Even wine is a product of excellence in this area: following the wine route of Strada del vino delle Colline Pisane  you will discover the cellars with the best production passing through the villages and hills.

If you are in Buti, you can not miss the famous "Trippa Butese" ....

In this country you really have a wide choice of restaurants and taverns where you can spend a pleasant evening in joy ...

Among all the most characteristic and less touristic restaurants are:

Trattoria da Paccì (try the tripe and the ragu with ragout !!), Le Mangiatoie da Tormento (excellent the tagliolini with mushrooms). For those who want a really "butese" experience not to be missed is the Enoteca Osteria Acetone (have fun!)

For those looking for a more elaborate cuisine we suggest Osteria Taviani, Ristorante Alloro and I Maggi.