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Written by Marco Ramerini. My friend Marcello Marcucci introduced me to a corner of our land that I did not know. With a splendid walk in the Chianti of almost 10 kilometers we crossed the area that is located between the provincial road 101, which connects San Donato to Castellina in Chianti, and the regional road 222, the Chiantigiana.
This itinerary in a splendid territory rich in woods, vineyards and olive groves allows you to admire landscapes ranging from the Apennine to the Apuan Alps. Along the way you can admire splendid views of the villages in the area such as San Donato and Barberino Val d’Elsa. It crosses modern vineyards and ancient abandoned terraces. There are traces of ancient paved streets, suggestive and ancient dry stone walls, old votive tabernacles and fascinating ruins.
The itinerary in Chianti that we have traveled begins from the small church of San Giorgio in Piazza, which is located along the road that leads from Sicelle to the Strada Chiantigiana. A charming little church but desolately abandoned, like many now in the area. The route, which is done entirely on splendid dirt roads, is uphill for a good part of the first stretch (about 2 km), then a short downhill stretch and again uphill to Nittardi.
ANCIENT RUINS IN THE WOODS
After a final uphill stretch you reach the highest point from where you have some splendid views of the surrounding landscape. From here, along a flat stretch, you go through a wide arch and in a short time you pass on the opposite side until you reach the place, for me, the most beautiful of this route: the ruins of the church of San Silvestro.
The few remains of the church are located alongside the country road bordered by ancient dry stone walls and immersed in a wood. The church has only two walls still partially standing. On one wall there is a round opening, while above what must have been the end of the church there is an arched structure where perhaps the church bell was placed. In front of the church you can still see the base where the cross was.
A PLATE COMMEMORATES THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AQUEDUCT
Church of San Silvestro. Author and Copyright Marco Ramerini 
Monument that commemorates the fallen of the First World War. Author and Copyright Marco Ramerini
Our walk in this part of Chianti continues going back for a few meters up to the downhill path to the left (coming from San Silvestro). Shortly after starting the path there is a small tank of the San Donato in Poggio aqueduct with an old commemorative plaque. The path continues uphill in part to the Filigare and then rejoins the path we followed at the beginning of our walk in Chianti. Thanks Marcello for making me discover this corner of our land.
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