Montefioralle

The village of Montefioralle is one of the oldest and best-kept medieval villages in Chianti and is still enclosed within its original walls. These were initially two circuits but houses now fill the space between the original structures. The walls were octogonal in outline, with four gates, modifications of which still exist. During the Middle Ages it was one of the largest military and administrative centres of the area. The first notice of the settlement is from 1085. It belonged to the families Ricasoli, Benci, Gherardini and Vespucci. In 1325 it was sacked by Castruccio Castracani. At the highest point of the village, the church of S. Stefano, rebuilt in the 17C and 18C, may be visited. In the wide nave are a number of works of art, notably a precious work of the 13C depicting the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus and two angels, attributed to the Master of Bagnano or to the Maestro of Greve. In the presbytery is the "Trinity and four Saints", an anonymous work showing the influences of Neri di Bicci and Andrea del Castagno. On the left is a painting of the Virgin Mary with the John the Baptist and Saint Stephen, a work of the school of Lorenzo Monaco (beginning of the 15C). Until 1630, the name of the village was Monteficalle. Since the 18C, this fortified village has been overtaken by Greve in Chianti, originally a local market.


Greve

Greve remains a small, thriving country town serving the many vineyards and farms in the surroundins area. It's a delightful town to explore with several good restaurants, enotecas and artisan shops hidden among its streets. At the open-air market on Saturday mornings in Piazza Matteotti, everyone gathers to share gossip and news, and shop for the week. Local festivals celebrating history, food and wine are held throughout the year. There are back roads and trails for leisurely walks, and bicycles can be rented to explore the rolling countryside.
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Greve is centrally located to many other villages and towns in Chianti, each with its own charming appeal. Panzano and Lamole, Castellina, Radda and Volpaia are only short drives away on the Via Chiantigiana. The area also has many kinds of lodging available for visitors: hotels, B&B's, agriturismos and a variety of rental properties.

Naturally, Chianti is noted for its wine, and there are many vineyards to visit and wines to taste. But the area around Panzano is also home to excellent producers of olive oil, pecorino cheese, balsamic vinegar, honey and sausages. And you'll find artisans in shoes and leather goods, ceramics and terracotta, crystal and linens, as well as furniture, handicrafts and fine art.

Panzano

The small town of Panzano in Chianti, with its Etruscan origins and Roman name (Pontius' house) is midway between Florence and Siena along the Via Chiantigiana (SR 222), the road that winds through the heart of Chianti.

For centuries the area was overrun by conflict caused by the bloody quarrels between Florence and Siena. The Castle of Panzano was built in the 13th century by the Firidolfy family; they chose the highest point between the Greve and the Pesa river valleys to build a fortification to defend their properties.

The castle became a formidable fort and an important centre of power in the early years of 14th century when Florence reorganized the administration of its lands. Panzano was the most populous centre in the area; and, in times of war, the commissioner of the Florentine Republic, charged with overseeing its defense, resided at Panzano, the southernmost boundary of the Florentine state.

After the fall of the Siena, in 1555, defense ceased to be the highest priority. The fortifications, which made the Castle of Panzano the most important fort in the area, were gradually dismantled and converted into farm buildings.

Later, a village grew up around the foot of the castle, and became the most visible part of the settlement.

The castle walls stand around the entire perimeter of the fort and two of the original corner towers still stand. One serves as the bell tower for the parish church. The other, il Cassero, more imposing is a private home.