Your property in Radda
The rural beauty of this central Tuscan area makes property in Radda some of the most sought-after in the Siena province.
Radda in Chianti, to give the commune its full name, is set amid tranquil countryside with rolling hills full of olive groves and vineyards meaning its large properties often come with sizeable parcels of land.
Many properties have been sensitively redeveloped, however, refurbishment projects are occasionally available.
Inside Radda
The small historic wine town emerges from the countryside with its dramatic 16th Century Palazza del Podestà at its centre, with stone-cobbled streets stretching outwards complete with architecture characteristic of the area.
The town demands a leisurely pace, with the main distractions besides its city walls, panoramic views and church, being wonderful food and drink available at its several bars, cafés and restaurants.
On the outskirts of the town, plenty of vineyards offer tours, while nearby Volpaia, a restored hamlet, is particularly popular.
Landscape
This hilltop town sits in the vast countryside of central Tuscany, with large plots of land commonly available with farmhouse style properties.
The town is roughly an hour’s drive from Florence, and less than an hour to Siena, one of the most well-known towns in the Tuscany region.
Education
Radda does not have its own international school, but the proximity to Siena means the international school there could be useful for families living in the area.
Families in Tuscany have an exceptional choice of universities to choose from, with two in Pisa – Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies and Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa – in the top three further education institutions in Italy.
Elsewhere, the University of Florence is extremely well-regarded, ranked in the top 11 Italian universities.
Activities and Entertainment
As its name suggests, Radda in Chianti is very much focused on wine, with the town being home to the Consorzio di Chianti Classico, the first wine production area to be defined by law in 1716.
The town and the wider area has plenty of high-end wineries and vineyards offering tours with tastings, while the town’s main museum – Casa Chinati Classico – charts the history of its most famous export.
With such fantastic countryside surrounding the town, the area is a hiking and cycling haven, with outdoor enthusiasts able to experience a vast wilderness in the rolling Tuscan hills, including at events such as the Chianti Trail Ultra running competition.
Art and Culture
The town is proud of its culture and celebrates it at events such as the Chianti Festival, which includes music, theatre and dance events, while the Rada1527 event re-enacts the historical arrival of Franceso Cerruccio, an Italian captain from Florence who fought the Italian wars.
In autumn, the Chianti d’autunno celebrates the harvest with wine tastings, music, art and markets.
Beyond this, the town boasts some magnificent historical architecture, including its Palazzo del Podestà and, opposite, the Provost Church of San Niccolò.
Food and Drink
Restaurants in Radda in Chianti make use of the plentiful produce from their rural surroundings, with fish, meat, beans and vegetables used to create classic and creative dishes.
Restaurants such as Ristorante La Bottega and Osteria Volpaia rely on their own kitchen gardens, while Bistro Casa Chianto Classico offers a seasonal menu, with dining on a terrace overlooking an adjoining vineyard.
Chianti is always the wine of choice in Radda, however, Tuscany is a leading wine producer, being home to the likes of Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino and Sangiovese. The area is also well-known for its various sprits, such as grappa, as well as digestifs.
Accessibility
Radda is roughly an hour’s drive from Florence’s Peretola airport, which serves domestic and international destinations, while Pisa International Airport is less than two hours away.
Tuscany has excellent rail links, which makes traversing several of the main towns and cities easy, with onward travel simple and efficient thanks to the country’s high-speed rail network. High-speed trains from Siena (roughly 40 kilometres from Radda) can reach Rome in 2 hours 45 minutes.
In terms of driving, the E35 road is roughly 30 kilometres from Radda, which leads north to Florence and south through the country to Rome.