Greve in Chianti:Chianti’s Gate

Chianti » Greve in Chianti

Greve in Chianti

Greve in Chianti is often considered the gate into the Chianti region because of its position in between Florence and Siena. It is located along the SR222, called the Chiantigiana road, at about 30 km from Florence and 40 km from Siena.

Greve certainly deserves a visit. It's a picturesque country town where it is nice to wander around, stop for an espresso, a gelato or wine glass during a day trip to Chianti. But what is there to see in Greve? Let's start from its history to understand what we see today.

Greve's history is connected to the beautiful Castle of Montefioralle located above the town as it was its market place starting from the 13th century. Its strategic position at the crossroads of three important pilgrimage roads - the Chiantigiana road, the road to Valdarno and the road to Val di Pesa - favored its economic growth. At the beginning of the 1500s the particularly shaped square was already there and was later described by the Grand Duke Leopold I as "a beautiful square where every Saturday a big market of livestock and foodstuff takes place".

The square in Greve is still the focal point of the town. A small town with a few museums and monuments to visit, Greve still offers a chance to enjoy a relaxing walk in and around the main square as well as a supermarket for anyone staying in an apartment in the surroundings. Furthermore, it's very lively with regular events, including food and wine festivals where music and markets intermingle all year round. We suggest you stop at the tourist information office near the comune on the main square to ask for an event calendar.

Every Saturday morning the weekly market still takes place on this same square. What makes it particular, apart from its peculiar shape, is the portico on three sides of the square. The portico serves as the frame for artisan shops, workshops and restaurants selling local products.

Some shops are famous and you cannot miss them, such as the Antica Macelleria Falorni, a Tuscan butcher shop that has been in the same spot since 1729, and the Bottega dell'Artigianato, a shop specialized in hand-woven baskets and products made in olive wood. Also located on the square is the Palazzo del Comune, the city hall built in neo-Renaissance style on the site of the ancient Renaissance building. In the square near city hall is the large statue of Giovanni da Verrazzano, famous explorer that discovered the Hudson Bay in New York and who was born just a few kilometers to the north of Greve.

On the opposite end of the square is the Santa Croce Church with a neo-classic facade. Built on the site of a medieval church, it still displays several masterpieces from churches in the local surroundings. Among the most important works is the 14th century fresco depicting the Virgin Mary with Child and a triptych by Lorenzo di Bicci (from about 1420).

A few steps from the square is the Museum of Sacred Art set in the former hospital of St.Francis. Here visitors can admire the original altar of the annexed oratory, characterized by a splendid group of sculptures in colored terracotta. Other important works include a 14th century Annunciation from Santa Croce Church, a Virgin Mary with Child between St. Bartholomew and St. Francis from the church of Santa Maria a Cintoia and a Virgin Mary with child between St. Anthony and St. Lucy from the church of Sezzate.

Another interesting museum is the Wine Museum which offers wine tastings of over 200 different labels. Each wine has detailed descriptions, from its production to the tasting notes. In addition, there are many old farm machines on display, as well as 180 different corkscrews.

Since you are in Greve, as you make your way to leave, you cannot miss a visit to the beautiful Montefioralle, a very small fortified village located on a hill above Greve less than a mile away. Here the famous explorer Amerigo Vespucci was born; the ancestral home is located along the main street, its only distinguishing mark is the family's coat of arms with a wasp above its doorway - see if you can find it!