Welcome to Radda in Chianti

Radda in Chianti is a lovely medieval village located 530 m. above sea level on Pogio alla Croce's hill that separates the Pesa Valley from that of the Arbia. It's main square, Piazza Ferruci has retained its elliptical design and old streets as it was during the 15th and 16th century.

This lovely village on a hill has successfully blended production of wine and oil with its new role as a resort and farm holiday center.

Places to visit in Radda

• First stop is the Palazzo del Podesta or the Palazzo Comunale with its 15th century fresco Madonna, St. Cristopher and St. John, the Baptist at its atrium.

  The facade of this building displays the coat-of-arms of the local families that administered Radda in Chianti, dating back to the 15th century. Presently, there are 51 of them including that of Francesco Ferrucci, chief magistrate of Radda in 1479.

• Not a far distance, is the Franciscan monastero of Santa Maria in Prato and its Madonna con Bambino tra i Santi Niccolo, Giovanni Battista, Maria Maddalena e Antonio Abate by Neri di Bicci dated 1474.
• The Church of S. Giusto in Salcio and the Church of S. Polo in Rocco: coming back from the 14th century century, both of them have a fortified structure with far above the ground circular towers. Their indoors hosts interesting ancient artworks.

For a journey back in time, a short distance from Radda in Chianti is the medieval hamlet of Volpaia, the hometown of the renowned clockmakers della Volpaia.

The village is popularly known as Castello di Volpaia, an ancient village that used to be the main center of the Chianti League. Today, it has no residents, and is home only to wine cellars. The winery has a wine shop and a restaurant. Private tours of the wine cellars may be arranged, otherwise, this is a nice place to just relax and loiter around.

Where to Eat

La Perla del Palazzo - located inside the well-known Hotel Palazzo Leopoldo, It is a formal restaurant offering a good selection of Tuscan and local dishes, and a pretty terrace with amazing panoramic views.

La Bottega - is a popular traditional restaurant situated in the Volpaia hamlet. It has a bar where one can enjoy a glass of excellent Chianti wine and some good local snacks.

On the first floor is a suitable dining room offering full Tuscan meals with fresh pasta, home made salami, and a short list of superb traditional dishes. In season meals are also served at its nice back garden.

Wine Tasting

Fattoria Vigna Vecchia: www.vignavecchia.com for Chianti, grappa, vin santo, and olive oil. Wine tasting should be arranged 3 days in advance.

Wine tastings can also be arranged, at Badia a Coltibuono just 10 km. away (a little more than 3 miles), near the town of Gaiole - our next destination in this Chianti driving tour.

Leaving from Radda in Chianti for Badia a Coltibuono might be difficult as this place is really beautiful, but if you manage to shake off your infatuation, dash ahead to this lovely abbey that is now a popular agritourism site, complete with a hotel and restaurant.

Drive safely.