The rolling hills of Chianti among villages and good wine

Chianti is a marvellous area straddling the provinces of Florence, Siena and Arezzo, famous the world over for its hilly landscapes that offer such a rich and evocative panorama. Numerous tourists, both Italian and foreign, choose to spend their holidays in this enchanting area every year.

But spending a holiday in Chianti does not only mean relaxation and nature as it offers many different possibilities thanks to its cultural heritage and landscape, rich in picturesque villages and historical sites among the most beautiful in Italy. Any season is a good one to head for Chianti!

Covered in modern vineyards neatly arranged on rolling hills, this area of about 700 square kilometres is known for the production of Chianti, one of the world’s most famous and prized Italian wines. Bright ruby red in colour, it can be made from Sangiovese grapes with a minimum of 80% and a maximum contribution of 20% of other red grapes. On the table, young Chianti and all DOCG wines go well with most Tuscan and Italian dishes, while the aged wines and Reserves are best with red meat, game and spicy cheeses.

Its territory includes a number of places of particular interest that are undoubtedly worth a visit. Considered the gateway to the area, Greve in Chianti is a picturesque town where it seems as if the Middle Ages have never passed. The beating heart of the town is the ancient Piazza Matteotti, with its characteristic funnel shape, bordered by palaces, porticoes and loggias on three sides. Greve is rich in parish churches and churches of considerable interest, including the Church of Santa Croce, of medieval origin but with Renaissance forms, which houses numerous works of art. Not to be missed is the Wine Museum, which celebrates two centuries of artisan and winemaking tradition in Chianti. Of great beauty is the fortified village of Montefioralle, a hamlet of Greve in Chianti, which is built around an ancient castle. Listed among the most beautiful villages in Italy, it is a real jewel of rare beauty.

Another hamlet of Greve is Panzano in Chianti, a pretty holiday resort located at an altitude of 498 metres. On top of a hill are the remains of the castle, dating back to the 12th century, of which most of the walls and corner towers have been preserved. Moreover, here you can admire one of the most important Romanesque churches in the entire area, the ancient Pieve di San Leolino, recorded as far back as the 10th century, although the current Romanesque building was rebuilt in the first half of the 12th century. Continuing towards Siena is Castellina in Chianti, a beautiful village of Etruscan origin crossed by the medieval Via delle Volte. Castellina also has its fortress, a mighty 14th-15th century building crowned by a high keep, whose crenellated profile dominates the village below. Strolling through the village one can appreciate beautiful late Renaissance palazzi that belonged to important Sienese and Florentine families.

Not far away is Radda in Chianti, which retains its original medieval appearance. It has very ancient origins, as testified by the archaeological area of Poggio la Croce, where the remains of an ancient village have emerged. Among the things to see are: the Palazzo del Podestà, a majestic building dating back to the 15th century, where the Captain of the League of Chianti had his seat for four centuries; the 14th-century Church of San Nicolò, the village’s main place of worship; and the parish church of Santa Maria Novella, one of the most remarkable examples of Romanesque architecture in the area. Not far from Radda is Gaiole in Chianti, whose territory is distinguished by the presence of ancient parish churches and castles, including the evocative Castello di Brolio and Castello di Meleto, a fine example of a fortified farm with circular towers.

Also worth a visit are: Barberino Val D’Elsa, an evocative medieval village where you can breathe in a unique atmosphere that takes you back in time; Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, which presents a unique landscape surrounded by vast expanses of olive groves and vineyards; and San Casciano in Val di Pesa, a village rich in history and tradition known for the production of extra virgin olive oil and agricultural products in general.