Gaiole in Chianti accommodation information Gaiole in Chianti Tuscany

Short History of Gaiole in Chianti

Gaiole in Chianti is a municipal territory in Tuscany, Italy, that extends for 129 square km between the hill country of Chianti and the hills of the Val d’Arbia. It had its origins in mediaeval times as the market for the Castles of Vertine and Barbischio, and became the seat of a comune with the Leopoldian reforms in 1774.

The first mention of the Gaiole territory comes from 1086 in an act of donation from the nearby Abbey of Coltibuono. However, it was only at the end of the 12 C that the village of Gaiole began to develop on the road which runs from Valdarno to Chianti, as a place of exchange for the nearby castles, and it was recorded in a document dated 1215 as a market.

With the foundation of the Chianti League by Florence in the middle of the 13 C, Gaiole was affirmed as capital of one of the Terzi "Thirds" (the others were Castellina in Chianti and Radda in Chianti), representing an important military base for Florence, from the middle of the 1400s until the Florentine conquest of the territory of Sienna. In the territory of Gaiole there are still imposing castles of extremely ancient origin: Castello Brolio, owned by the Firidolfi-Ricasoli family since 1172 and completely reconstructed in 1564; Montegrossoli, conquered by Florence in 1172 and coveted for its strategic position on the crest between Valdarno and Chianti and of which today remain only impressive ruins; Meleto, this was also for a time owned by the Firidolfi; and also the noted Abbey of Coltibuono, one of the most important Vallombrosan centres of the region, founded in the 11 C and in 1810 becoming a privately owned farm.

More history of Gaiole

Vacation accommodations near Gaiole in Chianti

Bed & Breakfast High up in the Chianti hills far from the heat!

'Le Cetinelle' offers its guests a choice of six double bedrooms with en suite bathroom, and breakfast served in the dining room. During winter weather a fire can be lit. We offer in addition, an apartment (ca. 80 mq) with a double and triple bedroom, a large bathroom, sitting room with fireplace and kitchen. A fine swimming pool is reserved or our guests. More about Le Cetinelle Chianti Bed & Breakfast rooms and apartment

Village vacation apartment in Volpaia

Apartment "Il Cassero" is a newly-restored vacation apartment for 2 to 5 persons located in an old tower keep in the tiny village of Volpaia in Tuscany. The accommodation consists of a kitchen, large living and dining room, plus two double bedrooms rooms and a single bedroom. Extremely peaceful and within a couple of minutes walk of three restaurants. More about Apartment "Il Cassero" accommodation in Volpaia.

If you are interested in castles - the Chianti Castles route ("La strada dei Castelli del Chianti") provides itineraries for viewing and in many cases visiting the castles, walled abbeys and fortified farm houses in the area around Gaiole. There is also a charming walled village near Greve in Chianti, known as the Castello di Montefioralle. A house said to be the birthplace of Amerigo Vespucci is located there - it definitely belonged to the Vespucci family.
Castle of Meleto
The Castle of Meleto is near Gaiole. Its origin in the 11 C, as a possession of the monks of nearby Coltibuono.
The Castle of Montegrossi, also known as Montegrossoli, was the sentinel and final rampart of the mediaeval Chianti region. It was constructed at around 700 m on the crest of the last salient of the small mountain range on the border between the territories of the Chianti and the Valdarno.	Castle of Montegrossi
Vertine	Last but not least, the charming mediaeval village of Vertine rises above Gaiole on a hill at 357 m.