Too Much Certaldo

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.

I want you to experience the real Tuscany! Are you ready?