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| 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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