San Polo in Chianti

San Polo in Chianti

San Polo in Chianti

The village of San Polo in the Chianti Classico wine zone of Tuscany, Italy

San Polo in Chianti
San Polo in Chianti

San Polo in Chianti is located in the Rubbiana valley, in the north east of Chianti, within a half hour drive of central Florence. San Polo is an ideal place to stay for anyone staying in Chianti without a car because it is served by two bus routes, the Florence city ATAF bus line No. 49 and the SITA pullman service. You can stay in a country house with a swimming pool while having easy access to everything that Florence has to offer!

The valley is famous for its iris harvest, the roots, “orris root”. Iris roots were once important in European herbal medicine, but they are now used mainly as a fixative and base note in perfume manufacture, as well as an ingredient in many brands of gin. The whole valley turns mauve as August and the Tuscan iris harvest approaches. There is an annual iris festival, the Festa del Giaggiolo, at San Polo in Chianti, usually taking place on the second weekend of May.

Irises in San Polo

Irises in flower in the Rubbiano valley of San Polo in Chianti

La Pieve di San Miniato a Rubbiana in San Polo
La Pieve di San Miniato a Rubbiana in San Polo

Legend has it that on St. Reparata’s Day in the year 405, the Goths had Florence under siege, and the city was in danger of falling. Suddenly, St. Reparata appeared in the midst of the fighting, holding a blood-red banner emblazoned with a white iris. The battle turned leaving the Florentines victorious. In gratitude, the city adopted the iris symbol for its coat of arms. After the Guelfs vanquished the Ghibellines in the late 13 C, the colors were reversed, and the red lily on a field of white became the symbol of Florence that we see today.

More about the San Polo in Chianti.