from the road near Asciano
Spring is the perfect time to drive through gorgeous Tuscany. Any of the roads south of Florence towards Siena take you through postcard scenes. The scenery is actually better than the postcards.
it seems too green to be real
We set off to drive down from Florence towards Asciano, a tiny village in the hills south of Siena. The town itself is not the goal. There is a road that travels along the tops of hills and offers 360 degree views of glorious green Tuscany. We have also done this trip in autumn, when it is beautiful in a different way. On the last trip we spotted pheasant running through the fields. Unfortunately we also saw a hunter with a gun and a dog following them.
near Asciano
The first stop was Greve in Chianti about 20 kilometres south of Florence. It has an unusual triangular piazza, Piazza Matteotti, dominated by a statue of its most famous citizen, Giovanni da Verrazzano. You may know the name from the Verrazzano Narrows bridge in New York. Giovanni discovered Hudson Bay – New York harbour.
Giovanni Verrazzano
porticoes around the piazza
The piazza is lined with porticoes and has plenty of pretty shops and cafes to keep visitors busy. For me,the most interesting shop is Macelleria Falorni, a butcher renowned throughout Tuscany for its prime quality meat. The best of this is the traditional cinta senese pork. The shop has an amazing selection of delicious things to taste and buy. We have come across the breed of pig before and bought several types of salami and prosciutto to take home. This shop is a carnivore’s delight.
the ham ceiling at Macelleria Falorni
under the hams
lots to choose from
The area is, of course, famous for Chianti and the local wine is well represented in Greve. There are several enotecas in town where you can try this very popular wine.
Chianti Classico
Liz was delighted to find a plate for her wall with the black rooster – Gallo Nero – the symbol for Chianti Classico. You will find the rooster painted on many things in the area.
Liz's new plate
Verrazzano's more modern friend on the other side of the piazza
grape vines near Greve in Chianti
Hi
Many years ago I purchased 6 dinner plates which look very much like the rooster plate you have on you site. I have been trying for MANY years to buy additional plates.
Any chance you would be kind enough to give me the contact information regarding where you purchased the plate. I want so very much to purchase two more to go with my set.
Many thanks.
LInda Burton
Alexandria, Va USA
By: Linda on June 3, 2010
at 1:05 am
Hi Linda,
I’ll check with Liz to see if she still has the name of the shop in Greve.
Deb
By: bagnidilucca on June 3, 2010
at 1:14 am
So love reading your blog,Deb. Glad to hear you enjoyed Greve in Chianti so much as we are having a week in Montefioralle near Greve after our stay in Bagni di Lucca. I believe the restaurant Gallo Nero is fantastic.
Look forward to seeing you again soon – in Italy!
By: Janet Snodgrass on August 16, 2010
at 5:29 am
Hi again. We stayedin Radda from 30/4/10 to 5/5/10. and visited the Greve market. Did you see the photo in the shop window near the ham shop? The photo must have been taken from a baloon as there were no planes in 1870, the date on the photo. It showed the market square the same as it is now complete with statue. The uniforms on the two soldiers were greatcoats and swords. Greve hadn’t changed much in all that time.
By: colin on September 16, 2010
at 10:35 pm
I didn’t see the photo – I will have to go back. It is such a lovely area that won’t be a trial.
By: bagnidilucca on September 17, 2010
at 7:54 am
[…] drove through the Chianti area inTuscany in spring, stopping in Greve, Radda and along the road to Asciano. It really is just like the postcards, only better. We […]
By: My favourite places in 2010 « Debra & Liz's Bagni di Lucca Blog on December 30, 2010
at 10:27 am
[…] beautiful towns in Italy. The duomo there is my favourite. Click on Montalcino, Montepulciano, Greve in Chianti and Radda in Chianti for suggestions […]
By: Drive through a postcard to Asciano « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on July 13, 2011
at 4:56 am