THE CITTASLOWS OF THE WORLD IN GREVE IN CHIANTI

The General Assembly of Cittaslow International returns to Italy: from June 19 to 21, 2026, mayors and representatives of the 300 Cittaslows of the world will meet in Greve in Chianti.

Positive slowness, reflective contemporaneity, social and environmental sustainability. These are some of the major themes at the center of the Cittaslow International General Assembly, scheduled from June 19 to 21, 2026, in Greve in Chianti.

The Tuscan municipality is preparing to host mayors and representatives of Cittaslows from all over the world to reaffirm its founding values, right where, 27 years ago, the movement was born, which today involves 300 cities spread across 33 countries.

"Confident that I am interpreting the common spirit of all the over three hundred Cittaslow Mayors from 33 countries," declares Mauro Migliorini, President of Cittaslow International, "I am honored this year to return with our Cittaslow International General Assembly to where it all began with Mayor Paolo Saturnini, who in 1999, along with three other mayors of small Italian towns, gave life to the movement. Today, Cittaslow is a truly important reality, an anchor for all associated communities and beyond, capable of offering concrete tools and projects for building a 'future of good living for all' in a time of institutional fragility and global uncertainty. Greve will undoubtedly be able to host the delegates from all over the world in the best possible way and offer, starting from the magnificent Piazza Matteotti, the finest example of being Cittaslow."

Sharing Positive Slowness

What is social and environmental sustainability? If negative externalities increase, how can we secure a future of well-being in towns, villages, and neighborhoods? How are policies against overtourism envisioned and applied? How do so-called "food policies" affect production, agri-food consumption, and health? Can there be a win-win alliance between law and the primary sector? Why are the new generations naturally sensitive to "slow" themes and intuitively interested in Cittaslow's proposals worldwide? How does the climate crisis, largely due to anthropogenic causes, affect everyone's quality of life and safety?

These and many other questions will be at the center of the debates during the Cittaslow International General Assembly, which this year will be held in Italy, in Greve in Chianti, from June 19 to 21, 2026.

After 27 years, Cittaslow "returns home": everything started, in fact, right in Greve in Chianti, thanks to an enlightened and far-sighted idea by Paolo Saturnini, the then-mayor of Greve.

The event, which will feature Mauro Migliorini, President of Cittaslow International, and Paolo Sottani, Mayor of Greve in Chianti, on the front line, will gather in the heart of Tuscany over 300 mayors and delegated representatives of the Cittaslows from 33 countries around the world, to share ideas, strengthen ties, and reaffirm the movement's values.

"We are honored to host the Cittaslow International Assembly for the first time after many years," states Paolo Sottani. "For us, being an active part of the Cittaslow network is a daily commitment and a great source of pride, given that this movement was born right here in the Municipality of Greve in Chianti back in 1999, along with Bra, Orvieto, and Positano. Twenty-seven years later, that far-sighted intuition still lives on in the many associated cities from all over the planet, which we are ready to host in our territory. It will be, as always, a wonderful opportunity to share good administrative practices and renew the bond between Greve and the network of cities of good living."

Reconnecting With Ourselves and Reviewing the Concept of Time

"Reconnecting with ourselves: being 'slow' today means reflecting on the concept and use of time, both socially and personally, including in ecology. We cannot, in fact, consume the biosphere over the course of two or three generations; we must stop this time of consumption in favor of a time of living, for ourselves and for the planet," states Pier Giorgio Oliveti, Secretary General of Cittaslow International. "Today is a time of 'reflective contemporaneity,' never boring but proactive, ideally communal, in constant search of solutions for good living in small and medium-sized cities and in the neighborhoods of metropolitan cities."

The speed that characterizes the daily life experience reveals a new, unexpected face, a terminal temporality. Hence the need and urgency to rediscover "positive slowness." The General Assembly will be an opportunity to talk about the contemporary dynamic context where conflicts re-emerge overwhelmingly, to reflect on new forms of production in Europe and the world through intercultural exchanges, and to discuss politically and socially the dynamics and strategies of landscape and infrastructure transformation.

"We will talk about the principle of reality, lies and power, peace and war," continues Oliveti. "Cittaslow is at the heart of a peace project that, through ideas, projects, and actions, pursues the path of prosperity for all."

Long Weekend in Greve in Chianti

The Cittaslow Tourism platform creates packages to experience territories in Italy and around the world under the banner of slowness and sustainability, in full harmony with the movement's founding values. Among the destinations, Greve in Chianti could not be missing, with the proposal of a long weekend amid fine wines and the unspoiled nature of the rolling Tuscan hills.

Vineyards and olive groves frame the medieval historic center with Piazza Matteotti, featuring its characteristic triangular shape, arcades, and numerous shops selling typical local products. It is a unique mix of history, culture, culinary traditions, and natural beauty. A rich network of trails for walking, hiking, and cycling, along with numerous farms and wineries to taste typical local products, make the location perfect for spring as well.

Day 1: The slow experience begins right with a visit to the main square featuring the statue of Giovanni da Verrazzano, the explorer born in this region. It continues with a tasting at the Antica Macelleria Falorni, one of the oldest butcher shops in Italy (founded in 1806), where you can taste local cured meats and cheeses accompanied by a glass of Chianti Classico. Stay in the area for lunch at a local restaurant, while in the afternoon you can visit the Wine Museum for an overview of the region's history and winemaking traditions. The day concludes with a quiet walk along the historic center and dinner in a typical trattoria.

Day 2: Dedicated to excursions in the surroundings. It starts with Montefioralle, a medieval village among the most beautiful in Italy, with its narrow cobbled streets and old stone houses. After a tasting in a local winery, head to Panzano in Chianti, another charming village, ideal for lunch in a typical tavern before visiting the Pieve di San Leolino, a 12th-century Romanesque church. The afternoon is spent relaxing in Greve in Chianti.

Day 3: The final day is dedicated to the Castello di Vicchiomaggio, which overlooks the Greve valley and once hosted Leonardo da Vinci. Today it is renowned for its high-quality wine production. Enjoy a guided tour of the vineyards, historic cellars, and Renaissance gardens, a wine tasting, and then lunch at the Castle restaurant. In the afternoon, relax with an aperitif at Enoteca Falorni, the largest wine bar in the area with over 100 labels available for tasting. The long weekend concludes with dinner at La Bottega del Moro, a family-run restaurant in the center of Greve.