Certaldo
is situated in the province of Florence. It can be reach by rail from the town of Florence
(and also from Siena) and by road (35 km) through the Superstrada Firenze-Siena exit
Poggibonsi Nord, then following the signs to Certaldo.
| Certaldo is divided in an
upper medieval part called "Rione Castello" or Certaldo Alto, surrounded by
fortification walls, and a lower, modern and industrialised part. The
native land of Giovanni Boccaccio, Certaldo maintains the original harmonious structure of
a medieval ‘borgo’ with its Palazzo Pretorio (Praetorian Palace), monasteries,
churches, towers and
fortifications. Of Etruscan origin, the history of Certaldo is documented only from 1164,
when Federico Barbarossa bestowed this territory to the Counts Alberti. In 1184, it was
conquered by the Florentines. The city grew rapidly after Semifonte was destroyed in 1202. In 1425, Certaldo became the seat of the Vicarage and the most
important centre of Valdelsa, Val di Pesa and part of the Valdarno, both from a political
and from a judicial point of view. It maintained this role during the Republican and the
Medicean period. Certaldo becomes part of the
history also because it was the birthplace of Giovanni Boccaccio, one of the greatest
poets of Italian Medieval literature. |
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Author of the celebrated Decameron, written between
1349 and il 1351, here he lived the last years of his life, in a house (Casa del
Boccaccio) that is open to the visits. He was buried in Certaldo in 1375. His home,
located in Certaldo Alto, has been transformed into a library with sections devoted to his
life including translations of his works.
A few km from Certaldo along the road to Marcialla
are still visible the ruins of the castle of Pogni.
Every year during the last days of July Certaldo
hosts "Mercantia" Festival this manifeastation is part theater, part festival,
and part market with a mix of singers, dancers and performers as well as artisans
demonstrating their crafts.
Hotel and agriturism in Certaldo
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