Radda / Chianti: Wine, History and Townscape
Accommodation in Radda / Chianti
Radda in Chianti brings together winemaking traditions, medieval traces, churches and archaeological heritage. If you are looking for a hotel in Radda / Chianti, these different aspects of the town can help you plan your trip: tastings, historic buildings or a stroll through the lanes each offer a different focus.
Wine and regional tastings
On 14 May 1924, 33 winegrowers from the area founded the Consorzio per la Difesa del Vino Chianti e della sua Marca di Origine in Radda. This foundation connects the town with the history of Chianti wine and local producers. Casa del Chianti Classico offers several different experiences: a sensory tour to discover Chianti Classico, guided wine tastings, and a tasting menu in the former monastery that pairs food and wine. Check the specific visit arrangements before you go.
At Radda nel Bicchiere, wines from Radda in Chianti are tasted together with local producers. The Pro Loco initiative involves the whole town, offering wine tastings to visitors and wine tourists. Dates and programmes may change, so check the details for the time of your trip. The different formats each have a distinct focus—from a sensory introduction to Chianti Classico and guided tastings to food and wine pairings.
Palaces, churches and local history
The 14th-century Palazzo del PodestĂ stands on the central Piazza Ferrucci, in the heart of the town. Following restoration and renovation, it was officially reopened to the public in 2008. The palazzo is fully accessible. Its rooms include former prisons and exhibition spaces with original vaulted ceilings and exposed stone walls. Check the latest visitor information before your visit.
The churches, too, reveal different aspects of architectural and art history. The Propositura di San Niccolò has a monumental Neo-Gothic façade designed by Carlo Coppedè in 1926. Santa Maria al Prato is a Romanesque church; its 15th-century altarpiece by Neri Di Bicci depicts the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus. Different periods and styles stand side by side here, and the churches cannot be reduced to a single art-historical story.
Radda in Chianti has been documented as existing since the 9th century BC. Recently discovered archaeological finds attest to Etruscan origins. Radda was also the ancient capital of the Lega del Chianti. These references span different periods, from the town’s earliest origins to its historical role in the Lega.
Lanes, walls and archaeological traces
The cobbled lanes and gardens enclosed by dry-stone walls can be explored on foot. Traces of the medieval walls are visible at Porta Valdarnese and Porta Fiorentina. The townscape thus combines paths through the lanes with visible evidence of its fortifications. Radda in Chianti is a typical Chianti town, surrounded by vineyards.
Parco Archeologico Poggio La Croce is an open-air archaeological museum in an area of significant archaeological, historical, landscape and ecological value. Sulle tracce di Leo Lionni offers a different combination of a path and art: the route begins at Podere Pescinale in the municipality of Radda in Chianti and leads to unusual sculptures created by Leo Lionni. These stops add archaeological landscapes and sculptures to the themes of wine, churches and local history.
Discover more destinations: Lucarelli, Castello Di Volpaia, Castelvecchi, Casole D'elsa, Bibbiano, Piancastagnaio, Scrofiano, Chiusi
For the broader travel overview: Siena.
