Certaldo, Italy

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Visit Certaldo

Certaldo is a small Tuscany town of medieval origin, which was born in an area of ancient human settlement located in the Val d'Elsa. The name comes from the Latin "Cerrus Altus", a reference to the fact that the area was at that time wooded.

A brief history of Certaldo - fiefdoms and a railway

In ancient times the site was inhabited by the Etruscans (archaeological excavations have unearthed several tombs, remains of temples, inscriptions and ancient coins). The area of Certaldo was later almost certainly a Roman colony, but from this time until the early Middle Ages the history of the town is almost completely unknown. From the 12th century it is known that Certaldo was a fief of the powerful Counts Alberti from Prato ('Vernio' and 'Mangosa'), and the setting for many struggles between the local ruling familes.

By the end of the 12th century the Counts Alberti were forced to accept the rule of Florence, and from that moment the history of Certaldo is indistinguishable from that of Florence. Under Florentine rule the city experienced great prosperity, largely due to the towns proximity to the important Via Francìgena, the trade route to France. With prosperity Certaldo grew larger and additional settlements developed down the hillsides below the original village, along the Via Francìgena. Certaldo was held in high esteem by Florence, and at the beginning of the fifteenth century, it became the seat of a Vicariate - an important centre for local administration

From the end of the first Florentine Republic and the Medici dynasty Certaldo became (in the first half of the 18th century) a domain of Lorraine. It saw further economic development in the 19th century, coinciding with the construction of the railroad that gave a considerable boost to manufacturing and trade. Today Certaldo is essentially a famous tourist destination both for its historical buildings, perfectly preserved in the upper part of the city, and for the landscapes of the area.

Certaldo: the Giovanni Boccaccio’s city

A visit to Certaldo may start from the house of its most illustrious and famous citizen, Giovanni Boccaccio, born here in 1313 (d. 1375), and universally well-known both as the author of 'Decameron' and various other works - he is one of the most afmous of the Middle Age writers - and for being a great humanist. Reach the house along 'Via Boccaccio'. Boccaccio's house was seriously damaged during the World War II, but was meticulously restored after the war. The façade, with a tower and balcony, is in brickwork; while information about the life and work of Boccaccio is presented using audiovisual displays in the room on the ground floor. In the Poet's room you can admire a fresco by Pietro Benvenuti (1820) [1769-1844], that survived the bombing, and other common objects used in the Middle Ages.

Today the house is also home to the 'Centro Nazionale di Studi sul Boccaccio' (National Centre of studies on Boccaccio), which houses in its rich library a large number of foreign translations of the Decameron.

Other sights in Certaldo

Next to the house of Boccaccio is the 13th century Church of Saint Michael and Jacob, in Romanesque style and with a single nave, which houses a remarkable 14th century fresco by a Sienese artist ('Madonna Enthroned with Saints'). In the same church you can see the tomb of the great writer of Certaldo.

Also in the upper city, which is well preserved and features many medieval buildings, you can admire the Palazzo del Vicario (the Praetorian Palace), former residence of the Counts Alberti and constructed on the existing structure of the castle - an important building with arched windows and a decorative facade with merlons and a tower. Inside the palace you can visit the Knights Room (with paintings by Francesco Fiorentino (1445-1497), the 'Madonna and Child' and 'Dead Christ') and the Audience Hall (with paintings again by Francesco Fiorentino, the 'Pietà' and 'Doubting Thomas').

Another building of some importance is the Church and the Cloister of Saint Thomas, where some frescos by Benozzo Gozzoli are preserved. Very interesting is the 'Museo d'Arte Sacra', full of ancient sacred vessels, among them a wooden crucifix (XIII century, the so-called "Christ Triumphant").

Certaldo cuisine

Certaldo is not only the city of Boccaccio, and its medieval traditions have been preserved even in the cuisine, often based around the famous purple Certaldo onion, used in a wide variety of local products. At Certaldo you may also enjoy the famous Chianti wine. (Aside: the word chianti is said to come from the Latin 'clango-ere' (to screech or to play) and 'Clangor-oris' (barking dogs), perhaps in memory of the noisy baronial hunts in the woods around Certaldo.)

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Certaldo, Italy

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