WHEN TO GO

July is the best month to visit Certaldo: for five days takes place Mercantia, international festival of street theater, with shows, music and crafts. In September there is a traditional reenactment inspired by the tales of Boccaccio’s Decameron.

WHY CERTALDO

medieval village of the most evocative of Tuscany and Val D’Elsa, has retained a magical atmosphere of the past. Certaldo is famous for being the birthplace of Giovanni Boccaccio and is Flag of the Italian Touring Club Orange, recognition for locations that are distinguished by the tourism, food and wine, cultural and environmental. It has a shallow end, modern, and a high which is the old medieval core, circumscribed by a wall with three entrance doors: Door to the Sun Door Alberti and Porta del Rivellino.

GETTING AROUND

The old town of Certaldo Alta is all pedestrian and you can reach by car, on foot along an ancient medieval road or by cable car. Certaldo Bassa can be traveled by car, bus or bicycle.

WHAT TO SEE

Certaldo Alta is the heart of this town, where you can find the peaceful atmosphere of the past. Here is the home of Boccaccio museum, where it is presumed to be born in 1313 and lived until his death. Here as well as antique furnishings are a study center and a valuable library containing many editions of the Decameron.
In the historical center is the Church of SS. Michele and Jacopo which houses the remains of the storyteller. Also worth seeing is the Praetorian Palace, symbol of the medieval town, where some major works: a Madonna and Child 1489 by Pier Francesco Fiorentino, a Crucifixion of 1478 and a Pieta. Here we are held exhibitions and cultural events. The inner courtyard has become a garden with Japanese teahouse.
Also worth seeing is the Museum of Sacred Art and the Museum of the nail, which collects tools and nails of all time.

WHAT TO DO

Certaldo offers the best especially in periods in which hosts major events such as the Mercantia festival, which transforms the town into an enchanted place, including performances of jugglers, acrobats and jugglers. Even without Certaldo events it is fascinating and you can enjoy its atmosphere strolling peacefully in the streets of downtown or stopping in to sample some local delicacies of the area.
Just outside Certaldo, the Canonica Hill Park you can go hiking and jogging activities, trekking and Nordic walking. Here are also picnic areas and children’s playground.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Boccaccio house
Via Boccaccio – Certaldo Alto (Fi)
+ 39 0571.664208

Palazzo Pretorio
Piazzetta del Vicariato, 1 – Certaldo Alto (Fi)
+39 0571.661219

Sacral art museum
Piazza SS. Iacopo e Filippo – Certaldo Alto (Fi)
+39 0571 661219