Greve

Greve is considered to be the capital of the most famous wine region in Tuscany, Chianti. Numerous farms, villas, castles, and abbeys are located on the Greve outskirts, against the background of a hilly landscape, cypresses, Italian stone pines, olive and orange trees. Some of them are open not just for visiting, but also provide accommodation for tourists. Tuscany guests will definitely note the hospitality of Greve residents.

To take a trip to Greve and its outskirts above all means to enjoy great cuisine and excellent wines in tranquil rural atmosphere. Wonderful aura of this area is created not only by food indulgence, but also by cultural heritage. Villa di Vignamaggio, where Mona Lisa Gherardini lived, is located not far from Greve. According to the version of George Vasari, the author of famous Renaissance figures' biographies, it was she who posed for one of the most well-known masterpieces of Leonrado da Vinci. Fascinating Tuscan landscape was used as a background for the portrait of this beautiful and mysterious woman.

Preserved buildings of the XIV–XV centuries are a part of Greve's present-day image. In the year of 1325 Greve was burnt down to the ground, and it took as long as a century to restore it. Since the time when Greve literally rose from the ashes, it has kept its status of the leading town in the valley.

The main town square, Piazza Matteoletti, is unorthodox as its shape is unsymmetrical. It is still referred to as quadrangular in medieval manuscripts, but after a number of buildings and galleries were built, it got the shape of a triangle. Santa Croce church rises above its upper part. It impresses visitors with a beautiful facade and restored paintings inside. Not just monumental buildings are located on the central square. You can visit here wine stores and restaurants. If you want to become familiar with routine life of the local residents, it's worth visiting a weekly market, which starts every Saturday on the square.