Like many other localities in the zone, also the area around Castellina in Chianti was inhabited by the Etruscans.
These origins are attested by numerous archaeological findings that were discovered in the environs, in particular the imposing hypogean tomb situated on a mound in the vicinity of the village. According to reliable hypotheses, the first settlement - which was called Salingolp (Salivolpe) - was destroyed during the invasions by the Gauls.
Then, in the Middle Ages the Contessa Matilde donated this land to the Counts Guidi. The latter furnished it with solid fortifications, the remains of which are still visible on the hill of Castellina Vecchia.
Later, the Guidi family sold it to their feudal vassals of the nearby castle of Il Trebbio (corresponding to the present locality of Trebbia, in the commune of Radda in Chianti).
Consequently, the village was also known by the name of Castellina de’ Trebbiesi. In 1193 the lords of Trebbio permitted the Florentines – with a deed that has been preserved down to this day – to garrison their castles. Then in the 13th century, Castellina joined the Chianti League, and became the chief town of one of its terzieri (third part of a town), which was in fact called the “Third of Castellina”.
Fortune did not always favour this little Chianti village. In 1397, in fact, the castle, “strong as a site, but weak in art”, was sacked by the militias led by Alberico da Barbiano. This unpleasant fate was suffered also by Rencine and Panzano.
Only about a decade later, in 1400, the Florentine Republic resolved to repair the walls that had been knocked down and to construct a wider and more resistant circle, reinforcing the castle with the fortress and with “tower-keepers”.
Its new fortifications were inaugurated in 1452, and resisted the siege by the Duke of Calabria for a good 44 days. But things got worse in 1478, when after the Pazzi conspiracy, Alphonse of Aragon, in agreement with the Sienese, invaded the Florentine territory and attacked the castle which Giuliano da Sangallo had fortified. Castellina was almost destroyed and was occupied by the troops of Francesco di Giorgio Martini.
Only in 1483 did it return to the hands of Florence, whose destinies it would follow from then on.
In 1774, with the abolishing of the Chianti League due to Pietro Leopoldo’s reforms, the village became an independent community.
However, the territory of today’s Commune, which was part of the Province of Siena, coincided almost completely with that of the League’s former terziere, including the area of historic Chianti that slopes down toward the Val d’Elsa.
The well-cared-for and well-restored historic centre has several lovely late-Renaissance palaces and the modern parish church of San Salvatore, imitation Romanesque in style. Inside the church is a detached fresco depicting the Madonna and Child by Mastro di Signa.
If you have more time, there are many interesting places to visit near Castellina in Chianti, if you like Etruscan remains, you are in the right place, right in front of Casa Landi is one of the largest tumulus Etruscan tombs, that of Monte Calvario.
ETRUSCAN TOMB OF MONTE CALVARIO:
This is a great tumulus Etruscan tomb dating back to the late seventh century BC, the structure consists of four hypogeum gaves, with main burial room and lateral cells. The structure is in limestone, another interesting thing is that the four tombs are exactly oriented towards the four cardinal points. The tomb as a whole has a diameter of 53 meters, it was discovered in the sixteenth century, than excavated in 1915, inside were found iron and bronze decorations probably belonging to a war cart, and a stone lion head.
ACROPOLIS:
Along the road leading to San Donato in Poggio is the ancient acropolis surrounded by walls, inside is still a functioning well. All the area is under archaeological exploration.
NECROPOLIS OF POGGINO:
Along the road to Siena, detour for Fonterutoli, in the village Poggino, is a small Etruscan necropolis, where were found five tombs dating back to the sixth century BC within them were recovered materials and furnishings, part of which are on display in the lobby of the medieval fortress of Castellina in Chianti, between these are two black-figure Attic amphorae, Etruscan-Corinthian unguentary from Vulci, other in vitreous paste, decorations and parts of bronze and iron Weapons.
