Casciana Terme Lari is a scattered municipality in the center of the Pisan Hills. The two major population centers merged into a single municipality on January 1, 2014.Casciana Terme is situated on a lovely hillside, amid olive groves and vineyards in the Pisan Hills. Its history is closely linked to the therapeutic properties of the waters that flow there, giving rise to the thermal baths; Lari, on the other hand, is a small village with a history dating back thousands of years, nestled on the intersection of three ridges in a position of great scenic appeal.

Surrounded by the Thermal Park, the town’s green lung, are the Terme di Casciana, whose waters, rich in salts and carbon dioxide, alleviate cardiovascular and respiratory problems and help to relax the mind and body of those who come here to spend a day devoted to relaxation. The wellness center includes a variety of treatments, and the beautiful outdoor thermal pool, surrounded by park vegetation, allows visitors to soak in theMathelda Water that flows from the spring naturally at a temperature of 35.7°c. Legend has it that it was Matilda of Canossa, daughter of Boniface III, Marquis of Tuscany, who discovered the beneficial properties of the water.

Among the most renowned typical products of Tuscany is meat, cooked according to traditional recipes with particularities that vary according to the province. A not-to-be-missed event for the inhabitants of Casciana and its surroundings is the traditional Sagra del Porcellino, where steaks, sausages served with beans and perfumed by the aromas of the Mediterranean maquis sizzle over the fire. In addition to penne alla pietraiola, the main dish is the typical Rosticciana, and as in every village festival, music is the most important ingredient. Another important festival enlivens the streets of the town, this time even transforming its rules and appearance. We are talking about San Genesio-The Children’s Festival during which it is the children who regulate life in the city. Starting with the handing over of the keys of the city by the mayor to the child as the court chamberlain, the daily order is turned upside down: streets closed to traffic, performances, workshops in writing, drawing journalism and archaeology, and, of course, lots of sweets. Entertainment and educational activities for children and educational and discussion opportunities for parents and educators. The celebration ends with a hot air balloon launch followed by countless balloons carrying messages of peace and hope.

In addition, Lari is famous for its cherries, to which the oldest festival (late May-early June) in Tuscany has been dedicated for more than 60 years. Its cultivation benefits from a particularly suitable climate and soil. To valorize the 19 varieties, the Committee for the Protection of the Lari Cherry was established and has been awarded the PGI mark.