Certaldo
Certaldo sorge nella Valdelsa, in provincia di Firenze, lungo l'antico tracciato della via Francigena
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Historia
Historia e Certaldo
Introduction and location
Certaldo lies in the province of Florence, at the heart of the Valdelsa, the valley crossed by the Elsa river that links the Tuscan capital to Siena. The town is split into two parts: Certaldo Basso, the modern lower town spread across the plain, and Certaldo Alto, the historic hilltop settlement. This location, along the ancient Via Francigena pilgrim route, made the town a natural stopping point since medieval times, and it remains a fitting stage today for travellers moving between Tuscany's art cities and its rural landscapes.
History and origins
Certaldo's origins date back to the early Middle Ages, when the hilltop became a strategic stronghold under the Alberti family before coming under Florentine influence. The upper town still preserves its medieval layout, with houses and palaces built in the distinctive red brick that gives it a unique architectural identity within Tuscany. Certaldo is best known for its connection to Giovanni Boccaccio, author of the Decameron, who spent his final years here and is buried in the town, making it a notable destination for literature enthusiasts.
Nature and landscape
The countryside around Certaldo is shaped by the Valdelsa, a rolling landscape of gentle hills covered in vineyards, olive groves and woodland typical of the Tuscan rural scene. The Elsa river flows through the plain below the hilltop town, sustaining farmland that has been devoted to viticulture and olive growing for centuries. Climbing up to Certaldo Alto opens views over the surrounding hills, a panorama where nature and human cultivation blend together. The area is also popular for cycling and walking along the white gravel roads that cross the fields and link small rural hamlets.
Things to do and see
A visit to Certaldo typically starts in Certaldo Alto, reached on foot or by the funicular railway connecting the lower town to the historic hilltop centre. Here visitors can wander brick-paved lanes, visit the house museum dedicated to Boccaccio and the church of Santi Michele e Iacopo where he is buried, as well as the Palazzo Pretorio, the historic seat of Florentine authority in the area. In summer the old town hosts a well-known street theatre festival that fills the squares with performances and travelling artists. Certaldo is also a convenient base for day trips to San Gimignano and other towns across the Valdelsa.
Flavours and traditions
Certaldo is tied to a long-standing agricultural product: its local onion, cultivated for centuries in this part of the Valdelsa and now a gastronomic symbol of the area, celebrated every year with dedicated events and used in many traditional Tuscan country recipes. The local table also draws on the area's farming heritage, with extra virgin olive oil, wine and baked goods typical of the countryside between Florence and Siena. Trattorias in the old town serve simple, genuine dishes, often built around seasonal vegetables and produce from local gardens.
Not to be missed
- Certaldo Alto, the red-brick medieval hilltop town
- The house museum of Giovanni Boccaccio
- The church of Santi Michele e Iacopo, with Boccaccio's tomb
- The scenic funicular linking Certaldo Basso and Certaldo Alto
- The Palazzo Pretorio and the lanes of the historic centre
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