Greve
in Chianti,
as it is now known, is the exception that proves the rule: it is a town
located on the floor of a shallow valley in a province of hill top towns
and villages. This is because Greve is not particularly ancient. It was
originally a market place for the surrounding castles at a conveniently
central point but after Florence consolidated its hold on the area about
400 years ago, Greve prospered with the ensuing peace and grew into the small town it is today.
It was renamed Greve in Chianti about in the 50's - the last town in the
area to make the change. It has no walls or watch towers but the
triangular main piazza is situated on the site of the original market
place and indeed there is still are market held there every Saturday
morning. Old maps show the market place as being square and its current
shape is due to encroachment of the surrounding houses an shops which are
famous for the arched arcades the run up the two longest sides of the
piazza. Greve has a number of restaurants as well as ceramic shops and
wine and speciality food outlets which make it worth a visit. However
Greve is best know as the shopping centre for the numerous beautiful
agriturismi, vacation villas and rural Bed and Breakfast accommodations
found in the surrounding hills. The attractive landscape and rural way of
life, convenience to Florence and Siena, and the availability of a wide
range of holiday lodgings make Greve in Chianti an ideal base from which
to enjoy a visit to this part of Chianti,
Italy.
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