Holidays in Greve in Chianti
Greve in Chianti, with nearly 14,000 inhabitants, can be considered the small �capital city� of Chianti. It�s a delightful town that retains the simplicity and joviality typical of these hills. It could be the ideal centre for renting a villa or a country house to spend your holiday in the heart of Chianti Classico. From here you can easily go for hiking, walking, cultural visits and wine tasting everywhere.
Greve, whose name comes from the river that runs through it, owes its success to the fact of being right in the middle of main connection roads; the �Chiantigiana�, road between Florence and Siena, and the road towards Valdarno. Thus, since the Middle Ages it has been one of the major markets in the area, as you can well understand considering the dimensions of its central square, Piazza Matteotti, that for centuries has hosted markets of all kinds. A statue of Giovanni da Verrazzano, the great explorer who discovered the Hudson Bay in New York, stands in the middle of the square.
It is almost unbelievable how this little town in Chianti is rich in secular and religious architecture. In Greve, considering the territory of the entire municipal administration, there are 6 castles - Mugnana Castle , Sezzate Castle , Vicchiomaggio Castle , Uzzano Castle , Verrazzano Castle and Ruggero Castle - 5 pieve (=parish churches) - Pieve of San Cresci , Pieve of San Leolino , Pieve of San Donato a Mugnana , Pieve of San Pietro a Cintoia , Pieve of San Miniato a Rubbiana - 15 churches and 2 oratories with a noteworthy wealth of artworks.
One possible itinerary, that we recommend, could start from a beautiful panoramic view over
Greve in Chianti that can be enjoyed from the medieval fortified village of Montefioralle. Getting along the road to Greve you will meet the sober beauty of the Pieve of San Cresci, one of the best-preserved religious complexes of Romanic style in this area. Then, finally arriving in Greve in Chianti, you can start your visit from the main central square, which immediately gives you the idea of that characteristic rural and spontaneous atmosphere, still breathable in Chianti. The square is overlooked by the main Church of Santa Croce, which contains interesting frescoes of the Renaissance. Then, if art is your passion, climbing the road towards the top of the hill, do not miss the Museum of Sacred Art, in the Convent of San Francesco. Otherwise, if you appreciate more walking in the open air, you can wander through the typical narrow streets of this beautiful town.
In Greve there is the most important Wine Fair of Chianti, from Thursday to Sunday, in the second week of September. You can taste all the best wines Chianti Gallo Nero and also several delicious local dishes.
Piazza Matteotti also hosts other traditional events, such as the Flowers Fair, the first weekend after May 1, or the Antiquarian Fair, and a schedule of classical music concerts and opera that span throughout the summer.
Finally, if you want to take home a nice souvenir of your vacation in Chianti or some local food for your friends, along the streets of Greve you will find plenty of nice handicrafts shops, butchers, grocers and traditional shops really special!
Our most requested villas for vacation rentals:
Villa for holidays on the hills of the Florentine countryside. Accommodation for 12+2 people, garden, private swimming pool, hydro massage, Internet connection.
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Villa for rent in the countryside of Chianti, near Florence. Accommodation for 8/12 people, private swimming pool, outdoor whirlpool bath for 7, Internet connection, children's playground, air conditioning. Golf club, riding stable and tennis club within a few kilometres. Possibility of organising dinners and cooking lessons.
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Villa for vacation rental in Radda in Chianti, between Florence and Siena, in the Tuscan countryside. Accommodation for 10 people, garden, swimming pool, panoramic view, Internet connection.
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Villa with swimming pool for rent near Siena for holidays in Tuscany. Villa with accommodation for 4/6 people, panoramic view on Siena.
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