Tuscany’s countryside has long been framed through a romantic lens, often shaped by films and novels like Under the Tuscan Sun. But, while the image of endless vineyards, rustic farmhouses, and golden hills has been the dream of Italophiles worldwide, it risks reducing a complex and historically rich landscape to a simple postcard: beneath the surface, lies a territory with centuries of history, social evolution, and architectural innovation worthy of being told.

UNESCO, in its continuous effort to protect and recognize the world’s cultural landscapes, has turned its attention to one of the most historically significant features of the Tuscan countryside: the ville-fattorie of the Chianti Classico region.