Below is an aerial shot of Radda-in-Chianti... While the quality of this photo isn't all that great, it will give you a feel for the "fairytale-like" essence of this incredibly quaint & charming medieval hilltop village... Radda-in-Chianti is what we call our home-base village! It's just 2.7 mile from the Villa and you'll likely end up here in the Village several times while we're in Tuscany...
We think you'll fall in love with Radda, just as we have over the years! This photo shows the top level of the medieval walls were built around the village to fortify & protect it... What you don't see in this photo, is the bottom two levels of walls that are even much bigger... Where you see the small roadway that circumvents the village, that is the top of the middle wall, and then there's another wall below that! Radda-in-Chianti has so many walls all around it, you can't help but look for Humpty-Dumpty! Radda is a fabulous little town, and we get most all of our provisions for our Tour here... There's almost everything here... just like in the fairytales; Butchers, and Bakers, and Candlestick Makers!
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| Radda-in-Chianti from above... you're gonna love this village! Among other things you'll definitely find "A Butcher, A Baker, and a Candlestick Maker" |
The medieval village and its castle were part of the fief of Count Guidi, though this did not offer much protection against the constant feuding and invasion from Siena. In the mid 1200’s Radda was established as the headquarters of the Lega di Chianti, long before they commercialized in wine...though records show this area was already exporting wine to England in the 1600’s, and the Etruscans 2300 years ago had already started cultivating grapes for wine.
Castellina, Radda and Gaiole were grouped together and existed under Florentine rule, making Radda the headquarters for all three areas. Florence sent Francesco Ferruccio, a feroce force, as Podestà in 1527 to reinforce their position, an event celebrated even today in Radda.
The peace did not come easily to this area until Siena was finally incorporated into the Republic of Florence, and there were many times that this strategically important town was threatened and devastated by invading troops. With the resolution of strife between the two parties, the military importance of Radda disappeared and the eventual transformation of the castles and fortifications into villas and residences, which now characterize the landscape of Radda-in-Chianti.
The actual name Radda-in-Chianti is from 1911 in an effort to give an elevated value to the wine in production in the area.
Things to See In Radda
It’s not the size of Radda-in-Chianti, or the wealth of historical sites that will draw you to this town but rather the suggestive atmosphere within its stone walls, its quiet little squares and the fantastic views of the landscapes that characterize this area. Thanks to the last invasion of Radda in 1478 many of the antique structures were pretty much devastated including the destruction of the castle, though there are still large segments of the walls and towers still standing.
Medieval Village Walls
The most visible views of the village walls are those at the door of the village which face the public gardens. These are fairly easy to see, just park your car behind the city and you will already be looking at parts of the top level of the wall. They wrap around the city on either side, with the two lower levels acting as foundations for the roadway...
Palazzo del Podestà
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| Palazzo del Podestà |
Chiesa di San Niccolò
Across from the Palazzo del Podestà, looming above the small square with its fountain, is the Chiesa di San Niccolò. There were some heavy interventions over the course of the years, however it fits in the square rather nicely creating a sensation of being enclosed in another time. The origins of the church reach back to at least the 1200’s however it was seriously damaged during WWII and restyled, leaving very little of the original structure. The bell tower was reconstructed in the 1950’s using one of the antique castles tower as a base, which you can probably appreciate better if you walk up to the Tourist Information office where it is possible to admire the back of the church. Today, the church is again undergoing some structural fortification...
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| Chiesa San Niccolo |
Medieval Walkways
Walk around the small town following the cobblestone streets and "camminamento medievale" to enjoy the quiet and evocative atmosphere. Radda has done an excellent job of restoring much of the town back to its simple stone built origins, and especially in the tunnels where you will find a restaurant (al Bacco) and a charming little alcove with tables and chairs from the enoteca Casa Poriciati.
Radda-in-Chianti is home to Castello di Albola, one of Italy's premier Wine & Olive Oil Estates with over 2200 acres of Vineyards, Olive Groves and untouched natural forestlands throughout the region. Castello di Albola, one of the nine Zonin Family Wine Estates throughout Italy, and one Estate in the United States. Albola bottles over 1.5 million bottles per year and ships their wines to over 130 countries around the world. Many local folks work for the Wine Estate and their iconic castle-style Villa overlooks the Village. This is Wine Estate where our Villa sets, and there's no better location in all of Chianti!
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| The Zonin Wine Empire |
Nearby:
Volpaia
Volpaia
This small borgo/hamlet has been completely restored and truly speaks of its origins and importance in the area. As one of the main defending structures together with the Lega in Chianti, it boasts defending walls, medieval towers and a castle and dominant panoramic positions. Well established in the area as the "viniferous well" you will find that Volpaia has a long history of winemaking, and due to its position for the travel of pilgrims. You'll love that our Villa looks out over both the Village of Radda-in-Chianti and the Village of Volpaia.
Casa del Chianti Classico
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| Casa del Chianti Classico |
How to Reach Radda
Radda is an easy next destination after having visited Greve and Panzano. Shortly after leaving Panzano, the road will make a few tight curves, look on the left for road (well indicated) which will lead you to Gaiole and Radda. There are 11 km of of a quiet country road which will have you appreciating another aspect of Chianti: it’s cool, low lying forests. The abundance of greenery is one of the reasons why the soil is so rich and perfect for the cultivation of the vineyards. After approximately 9-10 km you will pass underneath a red brick arch and come to a round-about. Follow the indications for Radda - and you will be wowed by extensive fields of hills covered with vineyards.
Coming up from Siena you can either take the Florence-Siena highway, exit at Badesse and follow the signs to Castellina then proceed for Radda in Chianti - or you can take the SR222 directly out of Siena and follow the road to Castellina then Radda. Either way, they are both panoramic and offer a great overlay of the Chianti area. (note: we will send you very detailed turn by turn directions to get the 2.7 miles from Radda-in-Chianti to The Villa)
Useful Info
The parking in Radda is either on the main street or wrapped around the walls of the city. You will find paid parking right next to the public park area (complete with toys for the kids) and city walls (note that space is limited and tight, but convenient). There is also a public bathroom around the town walls. The tourist information office is in the Piazza del Castello: as you walk in from the public gardens you will see signs on the left hand side.
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| this photo taken from the edge of the village... most of the entire hillside in the background of this photo are the Vineyards and Olive Groves and forestlands of Castello di Albola |
