We have recently had the opportunity to go on a trip to Tuscany, in the wonderful area of Chianti. The natural landscape of these places is really magnificent in spring: on the hills the wooded bush with oaks, chestnuts and holm-oaks follow the vineyards and the cultivations of olive trees. This region of Tuscany is the historic centre where the Chianti wine is produced, with its famous Gallo Nero (black cock) emblem, which accompanies the visitors in every village.

Our first stop was in Greve in Chianti, a village with its ancient square, Santa Croce church (1833-1835) and an imposing Town Hall; we have explored the village far and wide, in a succession of pork butcher’s shops and wine shops, which are the undisputed places of tasting and sampling (in fact you can even choose to sip the delicious Chianti wine and to eat bread, salami and the typical kinds of cheese from this region).

From Greve in Chianti we went on to Castellina and we advice you to enjoy the really beautiful landscape that you can see along the way that leads you to this ancient village: soft hills spotted with farmhouses and manors follow woods and cultivated fields.

Castellina has got Etruscan origins and its old town centre has got a medieval structure, and Via delle Volte, a covered street leaning against the ancient walls, can witness this reality. This evocative covered route follows the same pattern of the ancient pomerium, that in the ancient Latin towns was the zone of hallowed ground that marked the boundary of the built-up area. Since the pomerium was a sacral defence, it could not be crossed by soldiers.

Going along this way is really pleasant, after a break in the charming medieval square and, in case, after having eaten and drunk something good in one of the local trattoria. (We remind you that the local cooking suggests above all pappardelle with wild boar, Tuscan salami, grilled T-bone steak, roasted meat of all sorts, fresh vegetables and the inevitable Chianti).

Moreover it is possible to admire the 15th century Rocca Comunale (a military bulwark) that contains an Antiquarium with Etruscan finds and with a yard where you can see a well. This fortress was part of the walls built by the Florentine people that surronded the whole village and that were interrupted only by the two gates turned towards Siena and towards Florence.

The visit in Chianti is an experience that you can live at different levels: from the naturalistic point of view, from the historical and cultural one and even from the food-and-wine point of view. For us, in particular, this has been a very rich experience that has made us appreciate better the beauty of the Italian cultural haritage and its traditions.

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