Greve in Chianti

The residents of Greve in Chianti are born and grow up around the central square, which since the middle ages, has been a vital marketplace; the crossroads where the Val d’Arno (the Arno Valley), the Val di Greve (the Greve Valley) join the road from Florence to Siena. It is at this vital junction that sprang forth the principal market of the region. The central piazza has a triangular shape, lined by arcades on three sides, and in the center, a statue of one of the city’s illustrious sons, Giovanni da Verrazzano.
The city has long had strong ties to the new world, beginning with Verrazzano, the famous explorer and navigator who explored the Americas, on order of the French. On April 17, 1524, during one of his numerous voyages, Verrazzano entered the Bay of New York and more precisely the narrow straight between Staten Island and Long Island which now takes his name. Verrazzano was the first European to explore the Atlantic coast of today’s United States and to arrive in New York.
For a long time, this honor went unrecognized, and it wasn’t until the 1950s and 60s that this Tuscan explorer was recognized as the first to discover New York, which has the famous Verrazano Narrows Bridge honoring his name. Now, every year, April 17th is celebrated as Verrazzano Day, both in New York and in Greve in Chianti.
Other interesting connections include the Villa Vignamaggio, which was used as a set for the 1993 film of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” featuring such famous actors as Keanu Reeves and Denzel Washington.
In addition to the famous central square, there are many other attractions, especially noteworthy castles including: Castel of Uzzano, Castel of Canonica, Castel of Muganaia and Castle Verrazzano where in 1485 the famous explorer was born. Also worth noting, is the beautiful medieval borgo of Montefioralle, which still retains its original core and the breathtaking view from the area surrounding Covertoie which is not to be missed.
On April 25, 2006 President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, awarded the city of Greve in Chianti the gold medal of civic bravery and courage for their sacrifices during the second world war.

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