Cascine di Buti Porcini Mushroom Festival

A festival dedicated to the king of the forest

When the summer heat settles over the slopes of Monte Pisano, the lights turn on in Cascine di Buti for the Porcini Mushroom Festival. Cascine is one of the three villages that make up the Municipality of Buti, in the province of Pisa (Tuscany), alongside the main town and La Croce, stretching along the Rio Magno at the foot of the Pisan mountains. Here, at the local sports grounds, one of the most anticipated gastronomic events of the Buti summer calendar takes place every year between late July and early August.

The porcini mushroom in all its forms

The undisputed star is the porcini mushroom, foraged and celebrated in a simple, generous local cuisine. The food stalls offer the porcini in many delicious ways: fried and crispy, served in a savory soup, placed atop charcoal-grilled Tuscan bread crostoni, infused in a boscaiola sauce for pasta, or accompanying roasts and polenta. Alongside the mushrooms, there is no shortage of grilled meats and traditional side dishes, all to be enjoyed at outdoor tables in the true atmosphere of a village feast.

A festival born from the local districts

The festival is part of the rich program of summer festivals in Buti and Cascine di Buti, which enliven every weekend from mid-June to September. These events are organized by the Palio districts and local associations—the same groups that compete every January in the historic Palio delle Contrade di Buti, one of the oldest horse races in Tuscany and, alongside Siena and Asti, one of the most significant regional palios. The community spirit and friendly rivalry between the seven districts spill over into the kitchens of the summer festivals, ensuring a warm welcome and carefully prepared dishes.

What makes the festival special

• Local cuisine centered on Monte Pisano porcini mushrooms
• Authentic village festival atmosphere, far from mass tourism
• Outdoor seating at the Cascine di Buti sports grounds
• Organized by the Palio districts and local volunteers
• Affordable prices and generous portions

Buti, a village of the Palio and Monte Pisano

Visiting the festival is also the perfect opportunity to discover Buti, a village of ancient origins overlooking the eastern slopes of Monte Pisano, nestled among olive groves, chestnut woods, and hiking trails. It is a land where popular traditions are still very much alive and where the local gastronomy tells the story of the deep bond between the community and its forests.