Buchette del Vino: History and Tradition in Florence

1. What are Buchette del Vino

If you have ever walked the streets of Florence, you might have noticed strange arched openings in the stone facades of the palaces there. These little windows, measuring about 30 centimeters (12 inches) with old wooden doors, are so discreet that many people pass right by without even noticing—which is a sin if you enjoy a good story (and wine!).

We are talking about the buchette del vino: the famous "wine holes" (or wine windows). Far from being just a detail on the wall, they hold secrets of Italian economy and public health from centuries ago. The Associazione Buchette del Vino has already cataloged more than 180 of these little doors in Florence alone, but you can find several others scattered throughout Tuscany.

Today, these medieval windows are experiencing a new golden age: restored, reactivated, and transformed into tourist attractions that went viral on TikTok and Instagram, attracting visitors from all over the world—and inspiring Brazilian versions in São Paulo.

2. From Nobility to the Black Death: The Full History

16th Century: The Birth

The buchette del vino emerged in the 16th century, when Florentine noble families—many of whom owned vineyards in the Chianti region—decided to sell their surplus harvest directly to the public. The solution was ingenious: open a small window in the palace facade facing the street, allowing the sale of bulk wine without intermediaries and, crucially, without paying taxes on retail sales.

The mechanism was simple: the buyer would knock on the little door, hand over their container (a bottle or jug called a fiasco), and receive the wine directly from the producer. The price was significantly lower than in the city's taverns and osterias, making the buchette enormously popular among Florence's working classes.

A decree by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Francesco I de' Medici, officially regulated the practice in 1559, establishing that noble families could sell wine through these windows as long as they used official measurements—the so-called fiasco fiorentino.

1630-1633: The Plague and Medieval "Social Distancing"

Here is the clever part: the buchette became a matter of survival during the Plague of 1630-1633. Can you imagine practicing "social distancing" in the middle of the 17th century? Well, the little windows allowed wine to keep circulating without anyone needing to touch or cough on each other—a concept we learned the hard way in 2020, but which Florentines had mastered centuries ago.

The ritual was ingenious from a sanitary perspective: the seller would hand the glass of wine through the opening without direct contact with the buyer. Coins were placed in a metal tray with vinegar, which acted as a disinfectant. According to National Geographic, this system allowed the wine trade to continue functioning even during the most severe quarantine periods.

18th-20th Centuries: The Decline

With the modernization of commerce, the consolidation of taxes, and the emergence of new establishments, the buchette gradually fell into disuse. Many were walled up, covered by plaster, or simply forgotten. Throughout the 20th century, the vast majority were hidden or inaccessible, and few people in Florence even knew of their existence.

3. How They Work Today in Florence

After decades of neglect, the buchette were rediscovered and restored starting in the 2010s—and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 dramatically accelerated the process. The contemporary ritual, which went viral on social media, is charmingly simple:

1. The signal: You approach the buchetta and knock on the wooden door or ring a small bell.
2. The mystery: The door opens and an arm emerges from the interior—often without you seeing the attendant's face, preserving the medieval atmosphere.
3. The toast: You receive a glass of Chianti Classico, an Aperol Spritz, or even artisanal gelato.
4. The payment: You deposit coins or tap your card on a discreet machine.

Current Prices (2026)

4. Map: Where to Find the Best Buchette in Florence

The Associazione Buchette del Vino has cataloged over 180 wine windows in the historic center of Florence. Although most are closed or are just architectural remains, several have been reactivated and function as sales points. Here are the most emblematic ones:

Active and Recommended Buchette

Neighborhoods with the Highest Concentration

• Oltrarno (Santo Spirito): Florence's most bohemian neighborhood has the highest number of active buchette. This is where Babae is located, considered the pioneer of the modern reopening.
• Santa Croce: The area around the Basilica of Santa Croce, with several historic windows.
• Historic Center (Duomo): Palaces around Via de' Tornabuoni and Via della Vigna Nuova.
• San Frediano: A residential neighborhood with less touristy and more authentic buchette.

5. Beyond Florence: Buchette Across Tuscany and Italy

Although Florence is the undisputed capital of the buchette del vino, the tradition is not limited to the city. Historic wine windows have been identified in several other locations:

6. The Associazione Buchette del Vino and Preservation Efforts

The Associazione Buchette del Vino, founded in Florence, is the main entity dedicated to the cataloging, preservation, and promotion of the wine windows. Its work includes:

• Complete inventory: Mapping all existing buchette, with photographs and GPS locations.
• Certification: Brass identification plaques placed next to authentic buchette.
• Restoration: Technical support for owners wishing to restore and reactivate their windows.
• Promotion: Publications, guided tours, and an active social media presence.
• Heritage protection: Lobbying the municipal administration to include the buchette in Florence's protected cultural heritage.

The association also publishes a guidebook with the detailed history of each cataloged buchetta, available in Italian and English, which has become a reference for researchers and enthusiasts.

7. From Covid to Renaissance: How the Pandemic Revived a Medieval Tradition

The historical irony is striking: the buchette del vino, created to function during plague epidemics in the 17th century, found their second life precisely during another pandemic—the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

When health restrictions forced bars and restaurants to close or limit in-person service, several owners of historic buildings in Florence had the same idea: reopen the buchette. The medieval window offered exactly what the health rules required—contactless service, outdoors, and without crowding.

The phenomenon exploded on social media. Videos of tourists receiving glasses of wine through medieval windows accumulated millions of views on TikTok and Instagram. National Geographic, the BBC, The Guardian, and dozens of international publications dedicated reports to the phenomenon, catapulting the buchette from a local curiosity to a global tourist attraction.

The result was a virtuous cycle: more visibility attracted more investment in restoration, which generated more active buchette, which attracted more tourists. In 2026, it is estimated that at least 15 to 20 buchette operate regularly in the center of Florence—a number not seen since the 18th century.

8. From Oltrarno to Bixiga: The Brazilian Version in São Paulo

Is your budget tight for the Euro? Don't worry, you don't need to cross the Atlantic to live this experience. Right there in Bixiga, the most Italian neighborhood in São Paulo, the buchette tradition has come to life and has already become a local favorite.

The initiative came from Café com Arquitetura, on Rua Doutor Nestor Esteves Natividade. Architect and entrepreneur Murilo Grilo decided to adapt the establishment's facade to recreate the Florentine custom, installing a functional buchetta on the external wall.

The Menu of the São Paulo Buchetta

Why Bixiga is the Perfect Setting

Bixiga is not just the "neighborhood of cantinas"—it is the heart of Italian immigration in São Paulo. Founded by Calabrian and Neapolitan immigrants in the late 19th century, the neighborhood still preserves facades, churches (like Nossa Senhora Achiropita), and traditions that refer directly to Southern Italy. Installing a buchetta del vino in this context is more than a tribute: it is cultural continuity.

9. Wine Culture in Tuscany: Chianti, Brunello, and Beyond

It is impossible to talk about buchette del vino without diving into Tuscan wine culture, one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world. The wines served at the Florentine windows are mostly produced in the hills surrounding the city.

Main Tuscan Wines

Historically, the wine sold at the buchette was Chianti—the wine of the people, produced in large quantities on the estates of noble families. Today, the reactivated buchette offer a more varied selection, including premium labels and even wines from other Italian regions.

10. Practical Tips for Visitors

11. Frequently Asked Questions

How many buchette del vino exist in Florence?

The Associazione Buchette del Vino has cataloged more than 180 historic windows in the center of Florence alone. Of these, between 15 and 20 are actively operating in 2026, serving wine, spritzes, and even gelato.

Do the buchette only serve wine?

Originally, yes. Today, the menu has expanded to include Aperol Spritz, Prosecco, coffee, artisanal gelato, and even small food portions like bruschetta. The spirit, however, remains the same: serving through the window.

What is the average price of a glass of wine at the buchette in 2026?

Between €5 and €8 per glass, depending on the label and location. Although viral videos mention "1-euro wine," that is not the current reality.

Do the buchette operate all year round?

Most operate from spring to autumn (March to November). Some close in August during ferragosto. In winter, operation is reduced. Check the Association's website for updated hours.

Are there wine windows in Brazil?

Yes! Café com Arquitetura, in the Bixiga neighborhood of São Paulo, installed a functional buchetta inspired by the Florentine tradition. The menu includes Italian wines, specialty coffees, and artisanal sides.

Are the buchette protected as cultural heritage?

The Associazione Buchette del Vino actively works for them to be recognized as protected cultural heritage of Florence. Many already have brass identification plaques and are officially cataloged.

Can I take a guided tour of the buchette?

Yes. Several tour agencies in Florence offer wine window walking tours, usually combining a visit to the buchette with tastings of Tuscan wines and explanations of the city's Renaissance history.

Article updated in February 2026. Sources: Associazione Buchette del Vino, National Geographic, Visit Tuscany.