The Chianti area extends for several kilometres in the centre of Tuscany and its main feature is certainly the hilly landscape rich in vineyards that produce the world famous Chianti wine. In this area, between the provinces of Florence and Siena there are many charming towns to visit: Radda in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti, Greve in Chianti, Panzano in Chianti, Vertine … there are no shortage of wineries for wine tastings!
In addition to the small villages, Chianti also offers the opportunity to visit the beautiful and numerous Tuscan castles such as Brolio Castle, Meleto Castle and Verrazzano Castle.
The location of Poderi Arcangelo, close to the main public transport services, the main regional roads and motorways and, of course, the magnificent cities of Florence and Siena, make it a perfect base for staying in Chianti and organising excursions to other Tuscan destinations.
The famous Chianti vineyards that have travelled around the world on photos and postcards are clearly visible from Poderi Arcangelo Holiday Farm in San Gimignano, but you can not say that you have really experienced Chianti until you breathe that typical atmosphere found in the Chianti villages.
First of all Greve in Chianti, a small town that was involved in the centuries-old feud between Florence and Siena, which stands proudly on the landscape as a universal reference point.
The history of Greve is strongly associated with the beautiful castle of Montefioralle, located above the city, its strategic position – at the intersection of three important roads used by pilgrims, favoured its economic development.
At the beginning of the 16th century, the square with its curious shape was built and every Saturday there was a large cattle and food market.
That market is still held every Saturday – with the exception of the cattle, there are still plenty of stalls where you can find fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses, olives, household items, flowers and clothing.
Piazza Matteotti is therefore the main reference point of Greve and, although it is not a real “square”, it is the focal point of the city. What makes this place special – apart from its strange shape – are the arcades that outlines three sides of the square, which serves as a “frame” for the shops and craft shops that attract the attention of both tourists and locals alike for the quality and diversity on offer.
The covered pavements on both sides are the perfect place to relax, sitting at one of the many restaurants, cafes and wine bars. Other shops and enticing restaurants are located along Via Roma and Via Garibaldi, at the top and bottom of the square; the beauty of Greve lies in its compact size, in the fact that it can be visited completely on foot.
Another building located on the square is the Town Hall, in Renaissance style, and the imposing statue of Giovanni da Verrazzano, a famous explorer who discovered the Hudson Bay of New York and was born just a few miles north of Greve.
On the opposite side of the square to the town hall is the Church of Santa Croce, with its neo-classical façade, built in place of a medieval church, which houses several works of art from the nearby churches.
A few steps from the church, there is also the Museum of Sacred Art, located in what was once the hospital of San Francesco, where you can admire the original altar of the adjoining oratory, characterised by a beautiful group of coloured terracotta sculptures and other important masterpieces.
Particularly interesting is the Parish Church of San Cresci, hidden in the landscape surrounding Greve, and the Wine Museum which, in addition to a wide selection of wines available to taste, exhibits many machines and tools once used for wine production, as well as 180 different corkscrews.
Montefioralle
This small village fortified from the early 1900s, where Amerigo Vespucci was born, is perched on a hill above Greve, about one kilometre from the main square.
You can get to the top of the hill by car, along a road characterised by numerous tight bends and just as many breathtaking views, or you can choose to reach it on foot: a slightly steep walk, offering an incredible breathtaking view!
Castellina in Chianti
Beyond the spectacular road that leads to this corner of Paradise with its stone streets and characteristic old town, Castellina boasts a past rich in history and interesting events dating back to the Bronze Age, not to mention its active participation in the production of oil and wine.
Situated between the influential and powerful Renaissance city of Florence and Siena, Castellina is the ideal place for those visiting Tuscany who wish to explore the Chianti area and its wonders.
The outstanding local architecture and the enchantment of the natural setting and the panoramic views complete this fairytale image.
Anyone who ventures into Castellina in Chianti to discover its events, the paths that wind over its hills and the activities it offers will find this place full of genuine Tuscan charm.
Panzano in Chianti: Panoramic Views, Wine and Local Products Torn between Florence and Siena
Historically, Panzano, situated practically in the middle of the territories under the influence of the two rivals in constant conflict – Siena and Florence – was destroyed several times, first under the control of Florence, then of Siena and so on. What remains of the original medieval old town is now incorporated into the bell tower of the church of Panzano Alto.
Historically, Panzano, situated practically in the middle of the territories under the influence of the two rivals in constant conflict – Siena and Florence – was destroyed several times, first under the control of Florence, then of Siena and so on. What remains of the original medieval old town is now incorporated into the bell tower of the church of Panzano Alto.
Panzano has two different access points to the town and, consequently, two different directions to explore it: the first is more evident coming from Florence or Greve in Chianti, because even if you see the historical part of the city, the most visible impact at first sight is the modern Gastone Bucciarelli square with its shops and restaurants that line the streets.
In the main square you can breathe the typical atmosphere of a Tuscan village, full of scents and inviting aromas. If you are looking for a particularly “substantial” lunch, then go to the Cecchini Butcher Shop, where 8 generations of butchers have been delighting – for years now – both residents and tourists with their special meats and their contagious good nature.
The alternative entrance to the village of Panzano is from the free public car park, which gives direct access to the historic centre, where you can still see the peculiar streets and architecture typical of the medieval era. A good part of the original walls is still evident, although not in the best conditions of preservation, they are still well worth walking along, providing a fantastic view of the surrounding countryside. The walls are also surrounded by excellent restaurants, where not only can you taste wonderful menus based on local specialities, but also admire the rolling hills of Chianti and the succession of vineyards from an almost unique perspective.
Near Panzano you will find the Romanesque church of San Leolino, considered to be the best example of Romanesque architecture in Chianti and although it has been renovated several times, the interior is very interesting to visit.
Radda in Chianti
Radda in Chianti is a spectacular medieval village enclosed by massive defensive walls, located on top of the hill that divides the valleys of Arbia and Pesa. Its typical medieval appearance, characterized by narrow streets and classic tower buildings of the period, is complemented by the traditional Tuscan charm of the façades made of local stone.
No wonder that in the past Radda was the capital of the Chianti region: its strategic position, in fact, served as a reference point between the nearby towns of Gaiole and Castellina. The breathtaking view, the typical atmosphere of a small Tuscan village, the calendar always full of cultural and folklore events and the natural flavours of the area make Radda one of those destinations that you should definitely include in your itinerary to discover Chianti.
Gaiole in Chianti
The city of Gaiole in Chianti is another important centre of the Chianti Classico region, where some of the most popular things to see are undoubtedly the wineries, places where you can enjoy sublime tastings of typical products, oil and wine. But that’s not all: besides its Chianti Classico wine, Gaiole is immersed in a wonderful landscape, characterised by ancient castles and Romanesque churches.
Located east of Radda, Gaiole offers a panoramic preview of the battles for the conquest of local power that dominated these lands for over a hundred years: from the Medici family to the Ricasoli family, from the Guelfi to the Ghibellini and the continuous wars for territorial supremacy between Florence and Siena. It was precisely these continuous conflicts that stimulated the construction of the fortified villages and castles with their numerous watchtowers that today we can all visit in the surrounding area.
But among all this chaos, the wine tradition of Gaiole was born, which led to the production of the famous Chianti Classico. Gaiole boasts, in fact, the largest winery in the Chianti Classico area: Brolio Castle where Baron Bettino Ricasoli invented the Chianti formula in 1872.
Excellent wines that vary according to the composition of the soil, the intensity of the sun and the rain. We recommend you take a tour of the Chianti wineries, a sensory and tasting route among the wine varieties of this beautiful region, to discover exquisite wines that tell, through aromas, flavours and fragrances, the history of these lands. Wines that strictly follow the precepts of Chianti Classico and the regulations of the San Giovese vines.
