Certaldo, the native village of Boccaccio and the host of “Mercantia”


 

In Tuscany, wherever you go you will have no problems finding medieval villages which have kept, almost intact, their architectural and structural characteristics. All of them fascinating for onereason or another, all of them beautiful and worth a visit. But few, maybe noneis comparable to Certaldo.

Stronghold of the Alberti countsfrom the very first glows ofthe year one thousand, Certaldo lived through ups and downs before and after the conquest by the Florentines.

The antique part of thevillage, called Certaldo Alto(higher Certaldo) reachable on foot or by funicular, is typically early MiddleAges; the urban planning is without big squares, but instead there is a largeand long main road, now named “via Boccaccio”. An inextricable pattern of narrow streets and alleys embrace the village centre like a magical spider web.

 

Apart from its notablebeauty, Certaldo is world renown because of one of its illustrious “sons”: thepoet and storyteller Giovanni Boccaccio (1313 - 1375), one of the most important writers in the history of mankind, and one of his works is the masterpiece “Decamerone”. In the main street, which bears his name, you will still find his native home, now used as Museum. 

 
“Mercantia" the International festival of street theatre” also brings prestige to this little village. Thisyear it is at its 31st edition, and it takes place from Wednesday 11th July to Sunday 15th July with more than hundred shows every evening: marching bands, circusshows, real life artisans’ workshops and more than eighty exhibitors, all inthe unique frame of the squares, gardens and cloisters of Certaldo.

 

To reach Certaldo from Tenuta il Burchio: formIncisa take the motorway A1 direction North, get off at Firenze Certosa andtake the Freeway Firenze-Siena. Exit at Tavarnelle.

Follow the indications for Certaldo. Distanceabout 60 km" Travelling time: about 40 minutes.

certaldo