The charming village in Tuscany, in the heart of Chianti.

The town of Greve in Chianti is located along the provincial road SR222, known as the Via Chiantigiana, located about 32km from Florence and about 43km from Siena.

The history of Greve in Chianti is linked to the wonderful Castello di Montefioralle, which in the 13^th century was used as the centre square of the castle. Greve in Chianti, having a strategic position at the crossroads of the three main roads, the Chiantigiana, the Valdarno road and the Val di Pesa road, over the years had a remarkableeconomic development. In the 16^th century the triangular square had already been built and every Saturday a large cattle and food market was made. The Greve in Chianti market is still present today, as in the past it is organized every Saturday with the exception of the cattle, there are still a lot of stalls where you find fresh fruit, vegetables, cheeses, meats, household items and clothing.

The piazza Matteotti of Greve in Chianti is characterized by arcades that run around the perimeter of the square, where there are characteristic shops and restaurants where you can taste the Tuscan delicacies. Among the most famous you can find the ancient butcher shop Falorni (a typical Tuscan butchers shop dating back to 1729), the Bottega dell’artigianato (a traditional shop that produces hand-woven baskets and various objects for the home made of olive wood). Along the sidewalks covered by the loggias you can find bars and wine bars where you can relax drinking a good glass of Chianti tasting the famous salami and cheeses of Tuscany. We recommend a stop at the Bar Le Logge, where you can also have aperitifs, breakfasts and taste fantastic pizzas.

In the square you can also admire the Palace of the town hall in Renaissance style. In the centre of the square there is a large statue of Giovanni da Verrazzano, a famous explorer who discovered the Hudson Bay of New York and who was born a few kilometers from Greve in Chianti. Coming from Florence you can find along the Chiantigiana road the famous Castello di Verrazzano where I suggest you to plan a tasting of Tuscan food and wines.

On the opposite side of the square from the municipal building you can find the church of Greve in Chianti, the Propositura of Santa Croce with its Neo-classical façade. Inside the forms are of Renaissance inspiration with a tabernacle decorated with a fresco of the Madonna with Bambino by Maestro di Greve who was previously under the Loggias of the square of Greve in Chianti.

A few steps from the church you will find the Museum of Sacred Art, located in what used to be the San Francesco Hospital, where you can admire several masterpieces.

Another museum that every wine lover should definitely visit is the Wine Museum, where you can taste different types of wine, see old machinery for production and harvest as well as a collection of well over 180 corkscrews.

Last but not least, it is certainly the castle of Montefioralle and its fortified village about 1 km from the square. Born here was the great explorer Amerigo Vespucci who’s house is along the road and is characterized by a family crest that represents a wasp.

You can get to the top of Montefioralle by car along a road with different turns, or on foot with a walk of 1.5km uphill which is rewarded by the beautiful landscape. Montefioralle is a small village but there are two restaurants where you can eat Tuscan delicacies and are advised to book in advance.