Tuscany: Certaldo

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Well, here’s another secret medieval village (of course it’s a walled city) located on a hill between Florence and Siena. The setting is magnificent…..picturesque….rolling hills covered in olive groves and cypress trees — this is Tuscany at its best! Certaldo Alto is the old town and is famous for being the birthplace of Giovanni Boccaccio (great writer/novelist — Il Decamerone). The town is characterized by medieval houses and palazzi (of red brick), a charming center Boccaccio’s former home, Casa Del Boccaccio has been restored and turned in to a museum and library. Inside you’ll find period furnishings, a portrait of Boccaccio, his study and translations of his writings. The statue in the main square of town is of Boccaccio. The Palazzo Pretorio/Palazzo Del Vicariato, the residence of the Counts of Alberti in the 12^th century and then the seat of Florentine Vicars has also been restored. On the façade you’ll see terracotta coats of arms, while inside you’ll find frescoes that date to the 13^th and 16^th centuries. Also inside are the Vicar’s alcove, the servants quarters and guest rooms. The loggia offers a view in to how the people were ruled as judgements were handed out from this "balcony". At the back of the courtyard under the arches you’ll find small prison cells…..if the judgement was bad — you went there! There’s also a torture chamber/stanza dei tormenti….now, head to the fortress tower for views….and a respite from your imagination…. Of etruscan origins, Certaldo got its name from latin cerrus (or from germanic cerrus aldo) which meant a hill covered with oaks. Do see the Chiesa Di Santi Jacopo e Filippo (13^th century) with the tombstone of Boccaccio and some fine frescoes that date to the 14^th century.