WHERE TO STAY IN CHIANTI

Castellina in Chianti

On a hill at the crossroads of the Arbia, Elsa and Pesa valleys, set along the Chiantigiana road that connects Florence to Siena, is one of the most important destinations in Chianti. The city's origins go back to Etruscan times and came under Florentine control starting in the 12th century. It offers an imposing fortress. Along the ancient walls remains an underground tunnel, now called Via della Volte, a fascinating tunnel with shops and restaurants. The view of the surrounding Chianti countryside is marvelous. Inside Palazzo Squarcialupi, the Enoteca Antiquaria is now housed, a wine shop for over 100 years, which represents an important historical archive of wine and that has helped preserve the original characteristics of Chianti Classico wine itself.

Nearby:
Barberino Val d'Elsa, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Greve in Chianti, Monteriggioni, Poggibonsi, Radda in Chianti, Tavarnelle Val di Pesa.

Distances:
Siena - 18 miles, Florence - 25 miles, Arezzo - 46 miles

Castelnuovo Berardenga

Castelnuovo stands on a pleasant hill, located in the southern area of Chianti Classico less than 20 miles from Siena, bordered by the rivers Ombrone and Arbia. It was built in 1366 as the 'new castle' by Siena because of it's strategically advantageous position on the border of the Sienese land. In the historical center is the impressive Vicolo dell'Arco, characterized by steep stone stairs that have a tympanum arch decorated with a beautiful bas-relief. Nearby is the Church of San Giusto and Clemente, built during the 19th century and which displays a Madonna with Child by a Sienese artist from the Renaissance. Probably what turns Castelnuovo di Berardengo into a great destination in Chianti, in addition to Chianti wine and beautiful landscapes, are its beautiful surroundings full of castles and fortresses, villas and churches. Some of the most famous are the delightful village of San Gusme, the Certosa of Pontignano, the Castle of Montalto and Villa Acerno.

Nearby:
San Gusme, Gaiole in Chianti, Chianti area.

Distances:
Siena - 16 miles, Florence - 56 miles, Arezzo - 37 miles

Gaiole in Chianti

An important city within the Chianti Classico region, located along the river Massellone and on the road connecting Chianti to Valdarno. It had its origins in medieval times as the market for the Castles of Vertine and Barbischio. Since it was a marketplace, it never had the need for defensive walls such as those in Radda in Chianti. The main attractions in Gaiole in Chianti are the wineries in its surroundings, which include beautiful castles and parish churches. Among the most beautiful is the Parish Church of Spaltenna, displaying a valuable 15th century crucifix, the Castle of Vertine, a small medieval walled village, and the Abbey of Coltibuono, a former monastery now turned into a wine estate.

Nearby:
Radda in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga, San Gusme, the Chianti area.

Distances:
Siena - 20 miles, Florence - 44 miles, Arezzo - 35 miles

Monteriggione

Situated at the northern end of the region, Monteriggione occupies the peak of a small, rolling hill covered with cultivated slopes, vineyards and olives. Monteriggione represents one of the most important walled castles in the territory, both exterior walls and the buildings within are some the best preserved in all of Italy, attracting tourists, architects, medieval historians and archaeologists. The intact fortified wall presents 14 towers and 2 gates. The town appears to float above the valley at night due to the hillside walls and towers being lit from below with light.

Special Note: Every July one of the most beautiful medieval festivals in the region is celebrated here. The city goes back in time to the Middle Ages; the streets fill up with craftsmen, cavaliers and people in period costume creating a really enchanting atmosphere. Dances, live performances, music, theatre, kids entertainment, duels, acrobats, storytellers and more entertain the public as well as recreate the atmosphere of what chaotic life in a castle used to be like. Be sure to exchange your euros with medieval coins to sample the wine and food of those times inside the castle.

Nearby:
Casole d'Elsa, Castellina in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Poggibonsi, Sovicille.

Distances:
Siena - 13 miles, Florence - 34 miles, Arezzo - 57 miles

Poggibonsi

Although the area around Poggibonsi was already settled in the Neolithic age, the first traces of civilization dates from Etruscan-Roman age, attested by a series of necropolises and by place names such as 'Talciona' or 'Marturi' (from the Etruscan name of Mars). The inner old town of Poggibonsi actually corresponds to the ancient urban layout of Borgo Marturi, a settlement belonging to the overhanging Abbey and Castle bearing the same name. As early as the beginning of the 12th century, the village was an essential crossroad on the ancient Francigena Road. Sites of interest are the Fonte delle Fate (fairies' fountain) of the 13th century, with its beautiful ogival arches and the unfinished fortress, designed in 1478 and from the Convent of San Lucchese, first belonging to the Camaldolese order and then from 1213 to the Franciscans.

Nearby:
the Chianti Area with the town of Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti; San Gimignano is only 11 Km away.

Distances:
Siena - 13 miles, Florence - 34 miles, Arezzo - 57 miles

Radda in Chianti

Located up on a hill, covered with woods and extensive vineyards between the valleys of Arbia and Pesa, Radda in Chianti is a beautiful medieval town enclosed in large defensive walls. It has ancient origins, inhabited since the 9th century and was already mentioned in a document from 1002. After being fortified in 1400 it was, from 1415 onwards, head of the League of Chianti, and it preserves the remains of its ancient walls. The town maintains its medieval look, characterized by narrow streets meeting in the main square where you'll find the Church of San Niccolo, of 14th century origin and the Palazzo Pretorio, built about 1415.

Just outside the village, in the Vignale farm, are the headquarters of the Chianti Classico consortium and the Centro di Studi Chiantigiani (Centre for Chianti Studies), founded in 1984, with a small library and an archive devoted to the history of Chianti and its agriculture. In the surroundings of Radda you'll find many castles and parish churches, such as the medieval Castle of Volpaia.

Nearby:
the Chianti area, Castellina, Greve, Panzano, Volpaia.

Distances:
Siena - 17 miles, Florence - 32 miles, Arezzo - 37 miles