Certaldo
| Certaldo | |
|---|---|
| Comune | |
| Comune di Certaldo | |
 | |
  Certaldo Location of Certaldo in Italy | |
| Coordinates: 43°32′52″N 11°2′28″E / 43.54778°N 11.04111°ECoordinates: 43°32′52″N 11°2′28″E / 43.54778°N 11.04111°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Tuscany |
| Province | Florence (FI) |
| Frazioni | Bagnano, Fiano, Marcialla (part), Sciano |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Giacomo Cucini (Democratic Party) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 75.24 km2 (29.05 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 67 m (220 ft) |
| Population (31 December 2012)[1] | |
| • Total | 16,006 |
| • Density | 210/km2 (550/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Certaldesi |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 50052 |
| Dialing code | 0571 |
| Patron saint | St. Thomas the Apostle |
| Saint day | July 3 |
| Website | Official website |
Certaldo is a town and comune of Tuscany, Italy, in the province of Florence, located in the middle of Valdelsa. It is about 35 kilometres (22 mi) southwest of the Florence Duomo.
Heading southwest, it is 50 minutes by rail and 35 minutes by car from the city of Florence. Heading north, it is 25 minutes by rail from Siena.
It was the home of the family of Giovanni Boccaccio, poet of "Vita di Dante," and author of the Decameron, who died here at his home and was buried here in 1375.
Geography
The town of Certaldo into upper and lower parts. The lower part is called Certaldo Basso, whilst the medieval upper part is called called Certaldo Alto. Certaldo Alto has limited vehicular access, for use by residents only, and is linked to Certaldo Basso by the Certaldo funicular.
Main sights
- Boccaccio's house, of red brick, like the other old houses here, was restored in 1823 and furnished with old furniture. A statue of him was erected in the main square in 1875.
- The Palazzo Pretorio, or Vicariale, the residence of the Florentine governors, recently restored to its original condition, has a picturesque facade adorned with ceramic coats of arms, and in the interior are various frescoes dating from the 13th to the 16th century.
Culture
The town hosts several festivals a year. The largest and most famous is Mercantia,[2] a week-long party in Certaldo Alto. It involves numerous street performers from across Italy, Europe and even the Americas.
Twin towns
Neuruppin, Germany
Kanramachi, Japan
Canterbury, United Kingdom
References
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Certaldo. |