Castellina in Chianti, the capoluogo (main city) of the Chianti region, is a small town on Via Chiantigiana south of Greve in Chianti on the way to Siena. It has been quite important in history and produces the most prestigious vintages of Chianti Classico while housing early dating Romanesque churches, medieval fortifications and the some of the most interesting ancient Etruscan burial sites in the whole of Tuscany.
Historic sites include the Etruscan tomb of Montecalvario just outside of the town center as well as five other Etruscan tomb locations a bit further into the country side; all of which date back to 6th-7th century BC, or ‘Bronze Age’. You will find excavated remains (eg. Bronze or copper figures and money/ terra cotta urns) of the Etruscan civilization discovered at the sites in 1914 displayed in the archaeological museum, ‘Museo Archeologico del Chianti Senese.’
One Romanesque church to see in Castellina is the famous Chiesa di S. Salvatore built in the middle ages but reconstructed in the neo-Romanic style after it was damaged in the second world war. The city has quite often been in the midst of battles- between Siena and Firenze and later during WWII- and it is still possible to see military strongholds, like Rocca di Castellina in Chianti and Via delle Volte, which are a wall fortifications that date to the 1100s.
After all of the history and beauty you’ve experienced, take a stroll down the town’s main street, Via Ferruccio, which is full of trattorie and other diverse restaurants that feature incredible food and wine that may be enjoyed in outdoor seating when the weather is nice.