Certaldo is a small town in the beautiful Val d’Elsa. Actually Certaldo is divided into two parts: Certaldo Basso and Certaldo Alto. Certaldo Basso, is the lower part of the city and is the newest. It a modern town with shops and locals. Certaldo Alto is the upper part, on op of a hill from where you can have great views. They’re connected from a handy cable railway that runs everyday.
Certaldo Alto
Certaldo Alto is a medieval hamlet preserving its original structure. One peculiarity of its structure is that there are no big squares into the center, but only few small ones. This is because in the Middle Ages people used to gather in main street that is via Boccaccio. Another peculiarity is that most of the buildings and streets are built with characteristic red bricks.
Here was born the famous author and poet Giovanni Boccaccio, who wrote the Decameron. This is a medieval allegory told as a frame story encompassing 100 tales by ten young people. if you have never read it I strongly recommend you do it, because each tale is magic.
Main events
Boccaccio’s hamlet is famous for the great festival Mercantia, that is a week-long festival of street performers taking place in early July. Then in October there is Boccaccesca, important food festival for local and traditional products and food. Every Sunday morning there is the Fra’ Cipolla Market, where you can buy organic food coming from the local farms.
Thoughts
What I like about Certaldo, is that when you’re there you can feel its soul and taste a bit of its slow life. Every one knows each other as a big family and you’re always welcome. Hospitality is the master keyword and this is the right place if you want to experience the real Tuscany.
TooMuchCertaldo
These are my reasons for loving Certaldo and because I’m developing the new app guide TooMuchCertaldo for iPhone and Android! I want you to know this great place with its museums, monuments and churches together with restaurants, accommodations, shops and activities. I want you to discover its stories and legends about ghosts and other mysterious creatures. To Find out events and other special activities.
8 Comments
zoe
June 29, 2012 at 11:40 amexcellent work!
TooMuchVale
June 29, 2012 at 1:09 pmThanks a lot!
kristy
August 27, 2012 at 5:02 pmGetting married in Certaldo Alto in just a few weeks! Do you have any recommendations for things to do in town? Or do you know if there is anything in Certaldo Basso that might be interesting?
TooMuchVale
August 27, 2012 at 10:20 pmCiao Kristy,
first off CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve chosen one of my favorite places in Tuscany, as well as one of the most beautiful.
Certaldo Basso is a modern town and there isn’t much interesting to do.
In Certaldo Alto I suggest you take a cooking class at Giuseppina cooking school. I know the staff personally and you’ll love it! Then just enjoy the dolce vita of Certaldo, stop and talk to people, feel and experience it!
In the surroundings you can go horse riding and wine tastings, as well as bike riding. You can even rent a vespa and discover Valdelsa or going to Chianti.
I also suggest you visit the surroundings such as the Romanesque Abbey of Sant’Appiano, the medieval hamlet of Barberino Val d’Elsa and the Chapel of San Michele Arcangelo in Semifonte. When you’ll be in Semifonte with your husband you should turn three times around the chapel to bless your eternal love.
Then you can visit San Vivaldo, the Tuscan Jerusalem and Gambassi Terme relax at the thermal baths.
If you have time I also recommend you visit San Gimignano and Volterra, both very beautiful and perfect for a day out.
What do you think? Let me know if you need other suggestions, I’m glad to help 🙂
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