26Sep 0 San Donato in Poggio Posted By: Anna Maria Baldini Chianti, Italy, Sights of Chianti, Towns in the Province of Firenze, Tuscany, Tuscan villages and towns, Tuscany travel guide The Chianti village of San Donato in Poggio, Tuscany San Donato in Poggio is a mediaeval village of great charm located near the Via Cassia, the highway that runs along the western boundary of the Chianti Classico wine zone from Florence to Sienna. In modern times, the Via Cassia has been superceded by the Florence-Sienna motorway but in fact a drive along the Via Cassia is second in interest only to the Via Chiantigiana which runs right down the middle of Chianti. The main street of San Donato in Poggio, Chianti In any case, those making a motor excursion through this part of Chianti should be sure to stop for an hour or so in San Donato. Quite a stretch of the 12 C defensive wall remains intact along with two mediaeval gateways, the Porta Fiorentina and Porta Senese. There’s also a fine watch tower, Il Torrino, springing up from the wall. The main street, Via del Giglio, runs from Porta Fiorentina to the main piazza, location of Palazzo Malaspina and the church of Santa Maria della Neve, that rare structure in Tuscany, a Gothic church, dating from the 15 C. In the middle of the piazza, there is octagonal well that was the main source of water for San Donato through most of its history. The Palazzo Pretorio, largely reconstructed following World War II bomb damage, faces Palazzo Malaspina. The most important church in San Donato is the Pieve di San Donato located near the Porta Senese. This parish church is Romanesque in style, like almost all Chianti parish churches (pievi), and is documented as early as the year 989. It houses a Della Robbia baptismal font dating from 1513. There are two restaurants and a number of food supply shops in San Donato. Worth a stop. More about San Donato in Poggio and its remarkable history. Here are some similar topics: Greve in Chianti Greve in Chianti is a small town situated in the valley of the Greve stream, half-way along the scenic Chiantigiana highway (SS 222) that runs from Florence to Sienna. Greve has an attractive, arcaded, triangular piazza with several ceramics and… Read More » Map of Tuscany, Italy Here's an interactive map of Tuscany with links to the best websites for many of the most interesting cities, towns, villages and sights of Tuscany.… Read More » Lamole Lamole is a small village high up in the Chianti hills, accessed from a turnoff between Greve and Panzano. While Lamole is a charming little place in itself, the main reason for a visit is the beautiful drive up, passing… Read More » Pistoia Pistoia is the capital of the Province of Pistoia in Tuscany and is located equidistant between Lucca and Florence. Despite its attractions, Pistoia seems to be unjustly neglected by visitors to this part of Tuscany.… Read More » Lucca The city of Lucca is located in western Tuscany and should at the very least be included in any tour of Tuscany. Lucca also makes an excellent base for your stay in Tuscany. The city is flat, compact and relatively… Read More »
