Certaldo - Like many other
Tuscan towns. Certaldo is divided between its medieval walled
town on a hill and the modern residential and industrial suburb
spread out below.
Etruscan and Roman in origin. Certaldo
was also situated on the Via Francigena.
In the lower town is the main square
Piazza Boccaccio (car park), with a marble statue by Augusto
Passaglia (1879) which was commissioned to mark the fifth
centenary of the death of Giovanni Boccaccio.
Certaldo Alto
The charming medieval upper town, reached on foot in 10 min
or by cablecar from the station in the main piazza (2min).
built almost entirely of brick, is well preserved despite
some damage during the Second World War. All the principal
buildings, as well as some attractive houses, face onto Via
Boccaccio.
Half-way up on the left is the Casa del Boccaccio (rebuilt
in 1947). with a tower and loggia, which was bought and restored
in the early 19C by Marchesa Carlotta dei Medici Lenzoni.
Facing onto the little piazza is the
church of Santi Michele e Jacopo. The simple brick facade
dates from the 1 3C and the interior has been restored to
original Romanesque appearance. In a niche is an urn containing
the body of Beata Giulia
Next to the church is a small cloister
which gives access to the Museo d'arte Sacra inaugurated in
2001 (open daily 10.00-19.00). The museum has some fine and
rare works which include: a monumental 13 C Crucifix; paintings
by Meliore, the Bigallo master Puccio di Simone and Ugolino
di Nerio most of them removed from churches in the countryside
around Certaldo.
At the top of the street is Palazzo
Pretorio, originally the castle of the Conti Alberti with
its facade decorated with picturesque coats of arms in stone
and glazed terracotta which record the Governors (Vicari)
sent from Florence. Around the courtyard are the rooms where
justice was administered, dungeons, and a chapel with a fresco
of Doubting Thomas attributed to Benozzo Gozzoli. Several
rooms have Fine doorways, fireplaces and some fresco decoration.
A terraced garden and a walkway overlooking
the town walls provide a splendid view stretching from the
hills of the Val d'Elsa to San Gimignano.
Where is Certaldo: is located in the south of Florence
province, on the border with the province of Siena.
How to reach Certaldo: From Florence direction Siena,
exit Poggibonsi and follow for Certaldo which is 12 Km far.
Nearby: Visit San Gimignano, Barberino Val d' Elsa,
the Chianti area
Distances: Florence 50 Km - Siena 41 Km - Arezzo 105
Km - Lucca 64 Km - Pisa 67 Km
Correct name is Certaldo
Common mistakes are Cetaldo, Certoldo, Cirtaldo, Citaldo
|
Certaldo
- Florence - Tuscany Italy
Certaldo 
