Greve In Chianti

(53 km 1h 10 min) Greve in Chianti is tha capitol of Chianti Area, famous in the world for the Chianti Wine "Gallo Nero" (Black Rooster). We suggest to visit also Panzano, Radda and Gaiole.

Greve in Chianti is considered by some as the door of the Chianti region, for its strategic location midway between the center of Florence and the center of Siena. It is located along the SR222 state road, also called Chiantigiana, about 30 kilometers from Florence and 40 km from Siena. And 'certainly very picturesque and worth a visit. It 'a small town where you can breathe the air of the country, where it is nice to stop for a coffee or an ice cream during a trip in Chianti. But what there is to see in Greve? A bit 'of its history will help us to understand the things that we see today. The history of Greve is linked to that of the splendid castle Montefioralle of a market which was the thirteenth. Its favorable position at the crossroads of three major pilgrimage routes, the Via Chiantigiana, the road to the Valdarno and the road to the Val di Pesa, favored its flourishing and by the early '500 had formed the characteristic square, described by Leopold I as "a beautiful square where every Saturday there is a big market of cattle and Grasce" (food of all kinds). And the main piazza is still the focal point of the city. Small town that does not have many things in 'to see, but still worth a stop for a leisurely stroll in the square and around it. Greve is also very much alive and there are often organized markets, fairs and festivals throughout the year. We always recommend that you stop by the information desk in the square next to the town and ask for the calendar of events in the area.
In the square is held again on Saturday the weekly market. What makes it particular, in addition to the triangular shape, is the portico that surrounds the three sides. Almost like a frame, the porch houses craft shops, restaurants, hotels and shops offering local handicrafts. Some of the shops have become famous and you can not stop, as the Old Butcher Falorni that from 1729 produces norcine Tuscan specialties, or as the Craft Shop specializes in the art of weaving and woodworking d ' olive. On the square is the Town Hall in neo-Renaissance style built on the ruins of the old palace hall of the Renaissance. To the right of the building is the large statue of Giovanni da Verrazzano, who discovered the bay of New York, was born not far from here. On the opposite side to the city is the Church of the Holy Cross on the particular neoclassical facade. Built on the ruins of the medieval church, it preserves some important works of art from churches in the surrounding area. Among the most valuable pieces of the fourteenth century fresco depicting the Madonna and Child and a triptych by Bicci di Lorenzo of 1420. A few steps from the square is the Museum of Religious Art housed in the Hospice of San Francesco, which preserves the original altar annex oratory, characterized by a wonderful group of sculptures in painted terracotta. Among other works are an Annunciation from the fourteenth-century Church of Santa Croce, a Madonna and Child with St. Bartholomew and St. Francis from the Church of Santa Maria a Cintoia and a Madonna and Child with Saints Anthony Abbot and Lucy's Church Sezzate. Another interesting museum is the Museum of Wine offers tasting of nearly 200 different wines, for each of which there is an explanation of computerized production and taste. They are also exposed many old tools for the production of wine and over 180 types of corkscrews. Do not miss if you go to Greve is the small fortified village of Montefioralle, located atop a hill less than two kilometers from the center. Here he was born the great navigator Amerigo Vespucci as evidenced by the bee, coat of arms, above a doorway.