Greve in Chianti - things to see and doGreve in Chianti activities, architecture, villas, castles and other sights The whole area of Chianti around Greve is packed with castles, even more so than other parts of Tuscany, in addition to walled villages such as Montefioralle, Vertine and Volpaia, fortified abbeys and farmhouses that have developed [...]
Badia a Passignano in ChiantiThe Abbazia (Abbey) of Badia a Passignano in Chianti, Italy. The Badia a Passignano is located on the road running from Greve in Chianti through Montefioralle towards San Donato and Sambuca, and in fact was probably built there because of the importance of this route in mediaeval times. The Abbey is [...]
Barberino Val d'ElsaThe charming town of Barberino Val d'Elsa in the Chianti area of Tuscany Barberino Val d'Elsa Although is is mentioned in a document dating from 1054, Barberino Val d'Elsa developed as a township in the first decades of the 13 C after the Florentine destruction of the city of Semifonte in 1202. After [...]
VolterraVolterra, Italy, a charming mediaeval Tuscan hilltop town Volterra is a charming Tuscan hill town that was "discovered" by a popular author of travel guides a few years back and more recently became the setting for a series of vampire movies. Despite the consequent upsurge in tourism, Volterra is still a "must visit" for anyone [...]
Romanesque parish churches of ChiantiA tour of the Romanesque parish churches (pievi) of Chianti, Italy Chianti, the picturesque wine region that extends between Florence and Siena, is known worldwide for its unique landscape - hills dotted with castles, villas and farm houses, and vast expanses of vineyards and olive groves, the source of Chianti Classico [...]
Holiday homes near Montefioralle in Chianti Village Apartment near Montefioralle and Greve in ChiantiCasa Forese vacation rental is an apartment for 2 adults (and 1 small child) in a recently restored house at the foot of the walls of Montefioralle. It has a large, flat, enclosed garden, an excellent location and a very reasonable price. […]
Abbeys, basilicas, monasteries, hermitages and parish churches of Tuscany The Abbeys, Basilicas and Monasteries of the Tuscan countryside and villages are sometimes overlooked as we enthusiastically feast on the masterpieces in the churches of Florence, Sienna and the other "art" cities of Tuscany. The Abbazia di Sant'Antimo (Abbey of Sant'Antimo) In fact there are abbeys [...]
The gods, goddesses and mythology of the EtruscansThe gods and goddesses and other mythological characters of the Etruscans with their Roman equivalents Many of the names listed here are Etruscan spellings (and pronunciations) of Greek and native Italic names, but some names are entirely Etruscan. An Etruscan tomb fresco Achlae: Greek river god, Achelous Achle, [...]
The EtruscansWho were the Etruscans and where did they come from? The origins of the Etruscans - indeed almost everything about them - remains mysterious. It is even unclear when they first arrived in the Italian peninsula and whether an entire people migrated or only what became a ruling caste. Recent genetic studies of both [...]
Italianate gardens of the villas of TuscanyTuscan villa formal gardens Italianate gardens of the villas of Tuscany have been an integral part of the Tuscan villas since Renaissance times when they first made their appearance as conscious attempts to create for wealthy and influential Florentines the ideal place for humanist debate, based upon ancient Roman [...]
Val di GreveVal di Greve - the valley of the river Greve in central Tuscany The Greve river (fiume Greve), 43 km in length and among the best known rivers of Tuscany, arises on the hill known as Querciabella, in the Chianti hills just below Lamole, where it is fed by the springs of Fonte [...]
Castello di VicchiomaggioCastello di Vicchiomaggio in the Val di Greve, Chianti, Tuscany Castello di Vicchiomaggio The origins of what is today the Tuscan villa known as Castello di Vicchiomaggio are obscure. There was a military presence at this site at least as far back as the 9 - 10 C, probably initially put in place [...]
Tavarnelle in Val di PesaThe village of Tavarnelle in Val di Pesa and its surroundings in Tuscany, Italy Tavarnelle is mostly modern architecturally but is the location of the Church of Santa Lucia al Borghetto, the most interesting architectural sight within Tavarnelle itself, being a rare example of Tuscan Gothic architecture. The gothic Church of [...]
Pieve a PacinaAn ancient parish church near Castelnuovo Berardenga The parish church at Pacina (Pieve a Pacina), located near Castelnuovo Berardenga, is worth a visit by anyone interested in the Romanesque churches of Chianti. It is documented from a remarkably early date (650 AD) and has a very unusual, cylindrical campanile which is probably a remnant of [...]
The History of ChiantiChianti from the Etruscans, Romans and Lombards through mediaeval times to the conflict between Florence and Siena, the mezzadria and modern Chianti The Chianti hills have been inhabited for millennia, making the history of Chianti rich and varied. The mild and healthy climate, the forest abounding in game and the fertile soil [...]
