Contacts
Via Giotto 17 - 50052 Certaldo (FI)
+39 3400 767280
info@viagiotto.it
Certaldo
The beginning of an extraordinary journey into the authentic heart of Tuscany.
Among medieval villages, golden hills, genuine flavors, and ancient tales, every place is an emotion to experience.
Certaldo Alto: the medieval heart
Among the sweet Tuscan hills, Certaldo Alto preserves its medieval charm intact. Walking through the cobbled streets, enveloped by the scent of bakeries and the sound of silence, you will discover the Palazzo Pretorio, the ancient towers, and the birthplace of Giovanni Boccaccio. Riding the historic funicular is like taking a journey through time: every stone tells a story, every glimpse offers emotion.
Particularities to see
PALAZZO PRETORIO
Feudal castle and medieval emblem still preserves many original frescoes today
HOUSE OF GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO
The home of the great writer of the Decameron
MUSEO DI ARTE SACRA
A treasure chest of hidden treasures between art and spirituality
CHIESA DI SANTO JACOPO E FILIPPO
Small church in Romanesque style.
Inside it is the tomb of Giovanni Boccaccio and of Beata Giulia della Rena, who lived and died as a recluse in a cell that can be visited by accessing the Museum of Sacred Art
CHIESA DI SAN TOMMASO E PROSPERO
The oldest church in Certaldo Alto, currently deconsecrated. In the center of the Church is the Tabernacle of the Executed by Benozzo Gozzoli, originally located in a small chapel in the lower village, near the Agliena stream.
THE 3 MEDIEVAL GATES
The three gates that provided access to the medieval village were Porta Alberti, named after the counts who ruled in Certaldo, Porta al Sole, as it was exposed to the sun for most of the day, and Porta Rivellino, which stands on a small sixteenth-century fortification (the rivellino).
TABERNACLE OF THE EXECUTED
Originally located near the Agliena River, in the lower part of Certaldo, the Tabernacle, a work by Benozzo Gozzoli, served to give the condemned to death their last hope of being redeemed from sins.
SEMIFONTE - SAN DONNINO
In the locality of San Donnino, there is the Dome of San Michele Arcangelo, a "to scale" reproduction of the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence Cathedral). It was erected between 1594 and 1597, designed by Santi Di Tito, in the place where the ancient city of Semifonte once stood, destroyed by the Florentines in 1202.
MUSEO DEL CHIODO
Collection by Giancarlo Masini known as "Beppe Chiodo" presents an immense variety of nails from every era, size, and functionality, tools of the peasant civilization, and wooden sculptures.
It is located inside Palazzo Giannozzzi.
THE PARISH CHURCH OF SAN LAZZARO A LUCARDO Mother parish of the churches of Certaldo. Located on the Via Francigena, a little outside the town, it has very ancient origins. Notable is the architectural structure with a basilica-type plan with three naves. Inside, there are valuable 15th-century frescoes by Cenni di Francesco.
PARCO COLLINARE DI CANONICA
The Parco Collinare di Canonica covers approximately 110 hectares and is equipped with trails suitable for trekking, large green meadows, barbecue areas, and features a professional 'fitness trail', also accessible on foot from the historic center of Certaldo Alto.
PARCO FLUVIALE VAL D'ELSA
SentierElsa is an equipped path about 4 km long that crosses the Elsa River Park a few km from Certaldo towards Siena. Streams, crystal clear water, rope and stone bridges, waterfalls, picnic area, and naturalistic and historical information await you.
Products & Typical Dishes
CERTALDO ONION JAM
Jam made with Certaldo red onions.
Excellent for accompanying aged Tuscan pecorino and strong-flavored cheeses, boiled meats, grilled meat, and game.
CIPOLLA DI CERTALDO
Slow Food Presidium!
Round-shaped red onion grows in Certaldo and some neighboring municipalities. It is an ancient variety, also mentioned in Boccaccio's Decameron. Its taste is sweet and distinctive, and it is used in many traditional Tuscan recipes.
LOCAL EVO OIL
The local extra virgin olive oil is distinguished by its intense fruity aroma and a harmonious flavor with notes of artichoke and almond. It may have hints of bitterness and spiciness, typical characteristics of Tuscan oil.
LA RIBOLLITA
Ribollita is a hot and hearty first course, a soup of stale bread and vegetables such as black cabbage, savoy cabbage, and beans. It was prepared on Friday, a lean day, by putting together the leftovers from the previous day and then boiled several times over a slow fire; first with only the vegetables, then with the addition of hard bread, hence the name “ribollita”: the more it is cooked, the better it becomes for the following days!
CHIANTI WINE
Chianti wine has a bright ruby color, tending towards garnet, and a deeply vinous aroma. The taste is dry, savory, and tends over time to become soft and velvety. The undisputed protagonist of Chianti Classico is the superior quality Sangiovese, present in percentages ranging from 80 to 100%.
THE FRANCESINA
The "francesina", or "leftover boiled beef with onions", is also a humble dish, a way to reuse and enhance leftover boiled meat. The boiled beef is sautéed in a pan with plenty of Certaldo red onions, which give it an intense and sweet flavor.
