………..parish churches, farmhouses and villages.
It includes several whole towns:
Gaiole in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti,
Greve in Chianti.
On the other hand, the following towns are only partially included in this popular area:
S. Casciano Val di Pesa, Tavernelle Val di Pesa, Barberino Val d’Elsa, Poggibonsi, Castelnuovo Berardenga.
This region is universally known for the homonymous wine “Chianti Classico”, Italy’s most famous product of Bacchus.
In ancient times the area was inhabited by the Etruscans who already produced the wine.
The history of Chianti is linked in great measure to the interminabile wars of conquest between Florence and Siena.
After the Unification of Italy, the area underwent the control of Sienese province.
The village represents the most common type of urbanized area in the Chianti region. All the villages were small and built on hillsides.
The region is traversed by Strada Statale 222, the Chiantigiana, a picturesque "wine road" dating from the 1700s. Travelling it, you can enjoy every aspect of the landscape, with its cultivation of grapes and olives, and resplendent with country houses, churches, towers and castles.

BROLIO CASTLE,
it is one of the most important and powerful fortifications of Chianti. It was built in the nineteenth century. Situated on a hilltop, it has an octagonal shape with 15 meter high walls surrounding its perimeter of 450 meters. The view from the castle is magnificent.
Brolio was an important defensive fortification of Florence.
Ricasoli family restored it completely.

MELETO CASTLE,
maintains many of its original characteristics despite the numerous battles between Siena and Florence which took place here. Its structure dates from the fifteenth century and has circular towers on the corners and ditches in front of the least defensible side. It was transformed into a residence in the eighteenth century as testified by the decorated rooms and a small theatre built in 1742.

VOLPAIA,
is a small village situated on a hilltop and was an important fortification in the Chianti defence system. It was built in the twelfth century, as testified by the elliptical layout, tower and walls. The town still houses a powerful donjon and numerous medieval buildings.

BADIA A COLTIBUONO,
is situated on the ridge that divides the Chianti area from the Valdarno valley, at the height of 600 mt., in the road that links Gaiole to Montevarchi. The church, dating 1409, is dedicated to S. Lorenzo a Coltibuono.