By Rosina Fracassini
The town’s main bridge now bears the name of the surveyor who shaped its post-war revival.
Greve in Chianti has dedicated its main bridge to Franz Gori (1915–2007), a key figure in the town’s reconstruction and growth after World War II. A simple gesture, rich in meaning for a community that recognises in him a vital part of its own identity.
Born in Greve, Gori faced the harsh reality of the North African front during the war, earning both the Solemn Commendation and the War Cross. When he returned home, between 1944 and 1948 he led the municipal technical office, quickly becoming a point of reference for both the administration and the townspeople. He then continued his work as a freelance surveyor for more than forty years, guided by a clear vision: supporting progress without compromising the landscape. His architectural approach—far from the heavy building trends of the time—helped preserve Greve’s urban harmony, shaping neighbourhoods designed around human scale and everyday life.
Alongside his professional work, Gori was a man of generosity. Many of his projects were offered freely, driven by the conviction that technical knowledge should serve the community. From the operating theatre of the “Rosa Libri” hospital to the bell tower of Santa Cristina in Pancole, from the Casa del Popolo to the Acli Club in Panzano, and the “Principessa Maria Josè” orphanage: works born in difficult years, when resources were scarce but the desire to rebuild was immense.
His civic commitment extended into politics as well. In 1956, despite being widely elected, he chose to decline the role of mayor so he could continue overseeing public works directly as councillor and deputy mayor—prioritising responsibility over prestige.
The bridge naming ceremony, held on 13 September 2025 during the Expo Chianti Classico, became a moment of shared remembrance. Alongside the local authorities, many residents gathered to pay tribute to a man whose work left quiet yet lasting marks on the town.
Mayor Paolo Sottani recalled Gori’s human and professional depth, emphasising how his example helped shape not only Greve’s urban landscape but also its sense of community. “This bridge,” he said, “is a sign of continuity, a reminder of what binds different generations together.”
Councillor for Public Works Giulio Saturnini highlighted the modern relevance of Gori’s approach: technical skill paired with social sensitivity and care for people before structures. A sentiment echoed by Paolo Caroni, President of the College of Surveyors of Florence, who described Gori as “a professional who turned his craft into a civic mission.”
Adding further symbolism to the day was the sculpture “The Designer – Rebirth”, donated to the municipality by Gianfranco Gori. The artwork by Sandro Granucci welcomes those crossing the bridge: a surveyor with square and compass slung over his shoulder, offering not flowers but buildings. A gesture turned into story—construction, renewal, hope.
Gianfranco recalled how the idea of this dedication was born years ago, when Sottani—then working in the municipal technical office—had the chance to know and admire his father’s competence and civic spirit. The project, paused during the pandemic, has now found its fulfilment.
The dedication of the bridge is more than a formal act. It is a message.
Greve in Chianti chooses to honour a man who embodied technical excellence and civic duty, leaving a legacy made of tangible works and a simple, powerful idea: the common good is something you build—brick by brick, gesture by gesture.
With this bridge, the community does not simply remember a name. It celebrates a way of being citizens, and invites the next generations to carry that legacy forward.