Parco delle Cascine

Cascine Park emerges as a verdant haven in Florence, offering a fascinating glimpse into the interplay between civilization and wilderness. Originally created as a hunting domain for the Medici family in the 1500s, the park's evolution mirrors the shifting perceptions of wilderness and its relationship with human civilization.

Positioned beyond the confines of Florence's old city walls, the park symbolizes the tension between urbanity and the untamed wilderness, echoing our class's exploration of Dante’s and Medieval ideas of walls, civility, and the encroachment of wilderness onto urban environments.

In its early years under Medici control, Cascine Park remained largely inaccessible to the public, embodying a curated vision of nature where wilderness was tamed, controlled and inaccessible. This privileged access to curated wilderness reflects the cultural constructions of wilderness e seen through the lens of human dominance and manipulation. Rather than a connection to religion, to God, nature exalts human excellence, greed and power.

However, as societal perspectives evolved, so too did Cascine Park. With the dawn of the 19th century, the park underwent a transformation, opening its gates to the public and becoming a symbol of accessible green space within the urban landscape. This shift mirrors broader cultural shifts towards environmental conservation and the recognition of the intrinsic value of wilderness in its untouched state. Cascine Park stands as a testament to the enduring dialogue between civilization and nature. It offers respite from city life, while also serving as a reminder of our interconnectedness with the natural world