Certaldo Attractions
Certaldo lies in hilly country on the River Elsa, 15km/9mi northwest of Poggibonsi and 30km/20mi southwest of Florence.
History
Once the seat of the Counts Alberti, Certaldo became Florentine in 1293. Thereafter it was the headquarters of the "Vicars" who governed the area on behalf of Florence. The writer Giovanni Boccaccio (born in 1313 in either Florence or Certaldo) died here in 1375.
The town
The town, situated on a hill covered with wheatfields, cypresses and olive groves, consists of a medieval part known as the Castello and a modern district. The narrow streets of the old town are lined with restored medieval houses and palazzos. In the Casa del Boccaccio, in which the great writer is said to have spent his last years, is a Boccaccio Museum.
History
Once the seat of the Counts Alberti, Certaldo became Florentine in 1293. Thereafter it was the headquarters of the "Vicars" who governed the area on behalf of Florence. The writer Giovanni Boccaccio (born in 1313 in either Florence or Certaldo) died here in 1375.
The town
The town, situated on a hill covered with wheatfields, cypresses and olive groves, consists of a medieval part known as the Castello and a modern district. The narrow streets of the old town are lined with restored medieval houses and palazzos. In the Casa del Boccaccio, in which the great writer is said to have spent his last years, is a Boccaccio Museum.
Palazzo Pretorio
The Palazzo Pretorio or Palazzo del Vicariato was originally the residence of the Counts Alberti and later the seat of the Florentine Vicars. It is a handsome building, richly decorated with terracotta coats of arms and frescoes; from the loggia in front of it judgments were pronounced. The interior is also of interest. From the tower there are fine views of the hilly country around the town.
Hours
April 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 |
October 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
Boccaccio's House
Giovannin Boccaccio, along with Dante and Petrarch was one of the three great Italian writers of the 14th century. His house, in the upper town of Certaldo, is now a museum.
Hours
April 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:30 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 19:00 | 16:30 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 |
October 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
