Buti
Buti, is a small town on the eastern slopes of the Monti Pisani.
Buti, is a small town on the eastern slopes of the Monti Pisani. Its origins go back a very long way, probably to Roman times although very little evidence remains since Buti was razed to the ground or burnt down and built again several times over the centuries during wars among nearby Pisa, Lucca and Florence.
The earliest reliable mention of Buti, in which it is reported to be surrounded by fortifications or ‘castles’ (Castello di Panicale, Castello di Farneta, Castello di S. Stefano in Cintoia, Castel di Nocco, Castel Tonini, Castel S. Giorgio and Castel S. Agata), goes back the year 1000. Some of these castles are now in ruins but others still reveal their Medieval structure.
For example, Castel Tonini still towers over Buti and the surroundings are in fact called “The Castle”. You can still see the gateway, beyond which are several attractive 16th and 17th century houses. One of the most interesting is the Tonini villa, built by the Medicis around 1550 and known as “Villa Medicea”, frescoed inside by Giarré.
If you take the path down from “Castello” you soon reach the centre of Buti and the church of St. John the Baptist. This too has ancient origins but was rebuilt and enlarged at the beginning of this century.
During the 13th century, when Pisa ruled Buti, there were eleven churches. You should visit the Romanesque churches of St Francis in Piazza S. Francesco(town centre) and the Ascension - also known as St. Mary’s of the snow, outside town on the road to Monte Serra. You reach it by following Via dei Molini - its name means ‘Mill Road’ because there are several water mills along it. The Church of the Ascension is on the site of the old Castle of Panicale and was probably built in the 13th century. Flanked by stone houses, it has one nave and a beautiful semicircular apse in the east wall, as well as intricately carved lintel stones over the doors.
Another interesting building in the town centre is the Francesco di Bartolo Theatre . Francesco di Bartolo (1324 - 1406) was the first person to write a comment on Dante’s famous Divine Comedy. The theatre, which is very small, was built in 1842 in the style of early 19th century Academy theatres. An arched foyer leads into an oval pit. with two tiers of boxes overlooking it. There was once also a curtain painted by the celebrated 19th century painter, Annibale Marianini, depicting the deeds of the heroine, Paola da Buti.
Buti today has a population of 5,500. It is made up of two hamlets, Buti and Cascine di Buti, connected by a road running alongside the Rio Magno, through La Croce. If you look up to your right while travelling along this road towards Buti, you will see the Villa of Badia, the name of which reminds us that on this site there once stood a monastery, the Abbey of Cintoia which, in the 12th century, belonged to the Camaldolese friars and was very important. Over the centuries, however, it fell into decadence.
Many of its old traditions are kept alive in modern Buti. One example is the art of extemporising poetry, another the ‘Maggio’ which is folk drama based on stories saints’ lives or melodramatic legends. It is an authentic example of folklore and is still very much alive in Buti today.
Another event which is followed with great enthusiasm is the Saint Anthony Palio, held on the first Sunday following 17 January. The town is decked out in buntings, each quarter displaying its colours; there is a procession, with people wearing their colours and then, in the afternoon, horse racing with the ‘Palio’ as a prize for the winning horse, jockey and quarter.
Another reminder of the past is the traditional Chestnut Fete (Sagra delle Castagne) held every year on the third Sunday in October. The chestnut farming- wood for furniture and , baskets and chestnuts for food - were once a basic ingredient of daily life here, going back to the times when Buti was founded and was particularly florid during the times of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany (16th - early 19th centuries). Production of our superb quality extra virgin olive oli is still today an important and thriving resource here in Buti.
Buti, which boasts a wide number of clubs and societies and a whole series of fetes and celebrations all the year round (e.g. the frog eating fete in June at Cascine di Buti), as well as an excellent theatre season and an annual contemporary art exhibition, is an interesting, stimulating place to be; it is also attractive to visit and to live in, surrounded as it is by thick pine and chestnut woodland, ideal for walks along the signposted mountain paths or for bicycle rides along the 25 km bike paths recently laid down by the town council.
Buti: discover the surroundings
Accommodations in the area
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- Lucca (Lucca)
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21 km from Buti
Historic Villa Lucca 12 beds pool
Historic villa 14 km from the center of Lucca immersed in the green of the Tuscan vineyards and olive groves, it has a private swimming pool and a large park.
Availability request
Set on 350 square meters in a dominant position offers a unique view of the hills of Tuscany. -
- Massarosa (Lucca)
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25 km from Buti
Stone Farmhouse Massarosa 8 beds pool
Stone farmhouse in typical Tuscan style skilfully and elegantly renovated in a dominant position on the hills of Massarosa with spectacular views that reach the sea of Tuscany. The farmhouse has a swimming pool with whirlpool.
Availability request
Perfect solution for those that search the real authentic Tuscany staying in the hills but not far from the Versilia sea. -
- Viareggio (Lucca)
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27 km from Buti
Villa Torre del Lago 5 beds
Typical Tuscan farmhouse for rent in Torre del Lago, Massaciuccoli area with 3 bedrooms and 5 beds, just 1 km from the Tuscany coast.
Availability request
Ideal solution for small groups or families looking for a villa for rent not far from the sea in a context of absolute privacy. -
- Massarosa (Lucca)
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29 km from Buti
Farmhouse Massarosa 14 beds pool
Beautiful ancient Tuscan farmhouse completely renovated located on Tuscan hills 10 km from the golf course of Versilia. The villa can accommodate up to 14 people.
Availability request
An oasis of peace for those looking for a stay in the Tuscan hills while staying close to the sea. Perfect for a relaxing holiday in close contact with nature. -
- Camaiore (Lucca)
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30 km from Buti
Charming villa Tuscany coast 14 beds pool
Eighteenth-century villa located in a picturesque area of the Tuscan hills at the foot of the Apuan Alps, the villa has a park with swimming pool and tennis court.
Availability request
The spacious suites of the villa embellished with charming details and enhanced by modern comforts will make your stay an unforgettable experience. -
- Camaiore (Lucca)
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31 km from Buti
Villa Pieve di Camaiore 8 beds pool
Luxury and charming villa with swimming pool for rent surrounded by the green hills of Camaiore not far from the sea of the Tuscan coast.
Availability request
The villa is ideal for those looking for an oasis of absolute peace and relaxation guaranteed by the elevated position and the external fence in style. -
- Camaiore (Lucca)
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31 km from Buti
Villa Prato di Sopra Camaiore 10 beds pool
This villa is really some thing special, perched on the top of a hill the views are endlessly breath taking.
Availability request
This villa is really some thing special, perched on the top of a hill the views are endlessly breath taking. -
- Camaiore (Lucca)
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31 km from Buti
Restored Farmhouse Camaiore 9 beds pool
Beautiful fully restored farmhouse located on the hills of Camaiore. The villa is surrounded by a park of 2500 square meters in which is inserted the beautiful pool.
Availability request
Thanks to the dominant position on the valley from the farmhouse you can enjoy a beautiful 360 ° panoramic view. -
- Camaiore (Lucca)
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31 km from Buti
Villa Camaiore Hills 10 beds pool
Villa located 3 km from the center of Camaiore in a quiet and sunny position 10 km from Tuscan sea.
Availability request
Ideal for those looking for a villa accommodation on the hills of Versilia a few miles from Tuscan sea. -
- Camaiore (Lucca)
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31 km from Buti
Villa Camaiore Hills 7 beds pool
Wonderful villa with swimming pool surrounded by greenery, tranquility and privacy of the Pieve di Camaiore about 10 km from the sea of the Tuscan coast.
Availability request
The villa has all the comforts necessary to ensure an unforgettable stay in Tuscany and is the ideal solution for small groups up to 7 people who want to stay in the countryside but not far from the sea of Versilia. -
- Massarosa (Lucca)
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32 km from Buti
Villa Massarosa 10 beds pool
Beautiful and spacious villa in the countryside located in the hills of Versilia, 3 km from the golden beaches of the Tuscan coast with private pool and park.
Availability request
Perfect solution to stay in the green hills of Tuscany, 3 km from the golden beaches of Versilia -
- Camaiore (Lucca)
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34 km from Buti
Countryhouse Camaiore 16 beds pool
Ancient and charming country house located in Camaiore on the Tuscan hills and just 10 km from the sea of Versilia.
Availability request
The villa is the ideal solution for those looking for a solution of typical Tuscan charm and in a position of absolute tranquility and relaxation. -
- Camaiore (Lucca)
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34 km from Buti
Residenza d'Epoca I Pini
Historical house HOTEL I PINI : In Lido di Camaiore in Tuscany 100 meters from the sea only, a place of serenity and charm in Versilia!
Booking ONLINE
The Residenza d'Epoca HOTEL I PINI is an ancient villa in 1900 in Liberty style, completely renovated which still has all the charm of the residence of the painter / Ceramist Galileo Chini. -
- Camaiore (Lucca)
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35 km from Buti
Villa Camaiore Hills 10 beds pool
Amazing villa in rustic Tuscan style located on the hills of Versilia with a large park with swimming pool.
Availability request
Thanks to its elevated position you can enjoy a fantastic view that sweeps up to the sea of Versilia. -
- Camaiore (Lucca)
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35 km from Buti
Villa Lido di Camaiore 9 beds pool
Detached villa with pool and annex in Lido di Camaiore in the heart of Versilia. The beaches of Lido di Camaiore are just 1.5 km away.
Availability request
Ideal solution to stay in a villa in Lido di Camaiore.
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