Ready to discover one of the most beautiful territories in the world?
Chianti awaits you with its fascinating villages!
Positioned between the provinces of Florence, Siena e Arezzo, il Chianti is an enchanting hilly area characterized by a particularly rich territory from a naturalistic and food and wine point of view, but also of exceptional interest from a historical-artistic point of view.
This suggestive area of Tuscany, in addition to being famous for its characteristic hilly landscapes and for the production of one of the most famous and prized wines in the world, is a land rich in history and culture, which stands out for the presence of picturesque villages and historical places among the most beautiful in Italy.
Chianti is truly a must-see for anyone looking for a true Tuscan experience.
Let's find out together what to see in this fascinating corner of Tuscany!
Greve in Chianti
Considered the gateway to Chianti due to its strategic position halfway between Florence and Siena, Greve in Chianti is a picturesque town surrounded by vineyards and olive trees which finds its beating heart in the ancient Piazza Matteotti. Bordered by buildings, porticoes and loggias, this square with its characteristic funnel shape is animated by souvenir shops, wine bars and restaurants serving local cuisine specialities.
The town is full of churches and parishes of notable interest, among which we highlight the Church of Santa Croce, where numerous valuable works are preserved. Not far from the centre, the fortified village of Montefioralle, a hamlet of Greve in Chianti, stands on a hill. Fully included in the circuit of the "Most beautiful villages in Italy", it is a small medieval jewel.
Radda in Chianti
Located on the top of the hill that divides the Arbia and Pesa valleys, Radda in Chianti is the smallest of the Chianti municipalities. It has very ancient origins, as attested by the archaeological finds found in the Poggio la Croce area, dating back to the end of the Bronze Age. The town, which retains its magical medieval atmosphere intact, is enclosed within the ancient city walls, of which today short sections and some towers remain.
Worth seeing are: the Palazzo del Podestà, dating back to the 15th century; the Propositura of San Nicolò, with its neo-Gothic style façade; and the Grand Ducal Icehouse, built towards the end of the 19th century for the storage of ice.
Don't miss the hamlet of Volpaia, a splendid fortified village of medieval origin embellished with a wonderful setting of vineyards.
Gaiole in Chianti
Another obligatory stop is represented by Gaiole in Chianti, town which still today retains its typical medieval urban structure. Positioned halfway between Chianti and Valdarno, it has always played an important role as a "market town" for the nearby towns. The territory of Gaiole is distinguished by the presence of ancient parish churches, among which we highlight: the Parish Church of San Polo in Rosso in Poggio San Polo, whose construction dates back to the 12th century; and the parish church of Santa Maria a Spaltenna, dating back to the beginning of the 10th century, known for the Legend of the Crucifix.
From the town it is possible to set off to discover suggestive castles scattered along the Strada dei Castelli del Chianti, among which the imposing Brolio Castle, of Lombard origin, and the Meleto Castle, a typical example of a fortified farm, stand out.
Castellina in Chianti
Positioned on the top of a hill overlooking vineyards, olive groves and woods, Castellina in Chianti is an interesting medieval centre whose origins date back to the Etruscan period, as demonstrated by the numerous finds found in the area, in particular the Poggino necropolis near the hamlet of Fonterutoli and the imposing mound of Monte Calvario, dating back to the 7th-6th century BC. In the 15th century Castellina was a Florentine dominion: the fortress with its majestic tower, which offers a spectacular view, remains from that period on the surrounding landscape, and parts of the ancient walls with the basement walkway, the current Via delle Volte.
Inside the medieval fortress there is the Archaeological Museum of Chianti Senese, which tells the ancient history of Chianti through archaeological materials and data.
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