Certaldo: Historic Centre, Art and Boccaccio

Certaldo combines a walled historic centre with a rich history of art and literature. When choosing where to stay, you can weigh up different interests: the historic setting, places associated with Giovanni Boccaccio, sacred art, or the countryside of vineyards, olive groves and clay hills. The historic centre is accessible from Piazza Boccaccio by funicular.

Historic Centre and Art

Certaldo’s historic centre, also known as the Castello, is surrounded by walls with three ancient gates: Porta Alberti, Porta al Sole and Porta al Rivellino. Palazzo Pretorio stands in the highest and oldest part of the hill of Certaldo Alto, at the intersection of the medieval Via Boccaccio and Via del Rivellino.

Numerous coats of arms in the form of frescoes, stonework and glazed terracotta are preserved on the façade and inside Palazzo Pretorio. They represent the families of the vicars who ruled Certaldo from the late Middle Ages until the creation of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Frescoes and sinopie from the 15th and 16th centuries are preserved in the old, now deconsecrated church beside Palazzo Pretorio.

The Tabernacolo dei Giustiziati dates to around 1464–65 and is attributed to Benozzo Gozzoli. It offers another point of reference for art history, distinguished from the coats of arms at the Palazzo by its approximate date and attribution.

Places Associated with Boccaccio

Literary history offers a distinct focus, too. Casa del Boccaccio is a house museum dedicated to presenting the work and life of Giovanni Boccaccio. His tomb is in the Chiesa dei Santi Jacopo e Filippo. Within the Boccaccio connection, you can therefore distinguish between a place dedicated to his work and life and the site of his tomb.

Sacred Art and Countryside

The Museo di Arte Sacra was originally a 15th-century Augustinian monastery. Today, it displays paintings dating from the 12th to the 16th centuries, including works by Cenni di Francesco di Ser Cenni, Ugolino di Nerio and Meliore. The collection thus spans a broad period; by contrast, the Tabernacolo dei Giustiziati is a single work with an approximate date, attributed to Benozzo Gozzoli. The historical associations therefore differ: the families of the vicars at Palazzo Pretorio, the attributed Tabernacolo and the paintings in the museum.

The area around Certaldo is characterised by vineyards and olive groves, interspersed with clay hills, rows of cypress trees, cultivated land and woodland. This mix of farmland, hills and woodland offers a different focus from the historic architecture and art. If you choose your destination according to different interests, cultural sites and varied scenery are each distinct options.

Cipolla di Certaldo offers another connection to local food culture. It is a local variety of red onion with a sweet, distinctive flavour. Its designated growing area includes the municipality of Certaldo and some neighbouring municipalities. Its geographical reach thus extends beyond the municipality; alongside art and literature, it gives the destination a distinct gastronomic dimension.

Discover more destinations: San Martino A Maiano, Luia, Montefioralle, Scandicci, Dicomano, Cerreto Guidi, Pinete, Gavena

For the wider travel overview: Florence.