MONTEFIORALLE
MONTEFIORALLE
The original name was Monteficalle, because a great number of fig-trees grew outside the ancient castle’s wall; then it was named Montefioralle. In 1115 the property already belonged to the Lombards. After being partly destroyed by Castruccio Castracani (condottiere from Lucca), it was owned by the Ricasoli, then by the Benci and finally by the Gherardini family. They used to live in Greve in Chianti and they were even said to be the owners of the worldwide famous Monnalisa by Leonardo da Vinci. Its strategic geographical position made it very important for the battles between Siena and Florence: Montefioralle dominates the whole territory going from San Gimignano to Florence. Today you can take a panoramic road, La strada dei poggi, that is considered to be one of the most spectacular in Tuscany. In fact, people have believed it is the one painted in the background of the Monnalisa. The medieval village of Montefioralle is surrounded by elliptical-shaped city walls. Inside the walls you can visit a church, the Chiesa di Santo Stefano. Fortunately the castle remained undamaged, because more modern houses were built near Greve in Chianti.
The original name was Monteficalle, because a great number of fig-trees grew outside the ancient castle’s wall; then it was named Montefioralle. In 1115 the property already belonged to the Lombards. After being partly destroyed by Castruccio Castracani (condottiere from Lucca), it was owned by the Ricasoli, then by the Benci and finally by the Gherardini family. They used to live in Greve in Chianti and they were even said to be the owners of the worldwide famous Monnalisa by Leonardo da Vinci. Its strategic geographical position made it very important for the battles between Siena and Florence: Montefioralle dominates the whole territory going from San Gimignano to Florence. Today you can take a panoramic road, La strada dei poggi, that is considered to be one of the most spectacular in Tuscany. In fact, people have believed it is the one painted in the background of the Monnalisa. The medieval village of Montefioralle is surrounded by elliptical-shaped city walls. Inside the walls you can visit a church, the Chiesa di Santo Stefano. Fortunately the castle remained undamaged, because more modern houses were built near Greve in Chianti.