Cascina

Cascina is a small city on the Arno near Pisa. It started as a fortified outpost, with enclosing walls and a tall watch tower, since it was on a strategic road between Pisa and Florence. Eventually it surpassed the walls and spread into a city, but remnants of the wall along with the tower still stand in Cascina to bear witness to its history.

While much of the city is modern, the old town retains some charm. The Pieve di Santa Maria is a lovely Romanesque church built in the 11th century with baked clay elements decorating it. Palazzo Stefanini is an urban palace with a simple facade but a richly decorated interior. The town is dubbed "la citta del teatro" (the city of theater) for its performing arts complex that features state-of-the-art productions, modern art, and performances.

Cascina has been well known as a center of the wood working craft for centuries and there are still skilled furniture makers turning out quality furnishings here.