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CERTALDO
Continuing along the river Elsa, you reach Certaldo, where
the Borgo (Castle) dominates the ancient fortified settlement on
the top. The majestic brick profile can be seen from far away, surrounded
by the green hills of Valdelsa. Certaldo Alto, also called the Castello,
preserves its medieval and Renaissance structure and has the modern
Certaldo under its feet, which is an industrial centre which has
grown during the last two centuries.
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Of
Etruscan-Roman origins, Federico il Barbarossa surrendered Certaldo
to the Counts Alberti who governed the city all through the 17th century.
Under the Florentines, Certaldo became more and more important and
soon became the political centre of the Valdelsa. Its strategic importance
lasted all through the period of the Grand Duchy and until the unification
of Italy. An excellent example from the greatest period is the Palazzo
del Vicariato on which façade and the atrium feature the flags
of the Vicars, among which the marvellous terracotta armorial bearings
by della Robbia. From the past Certaldo preserves interesting testimonies
such as the Castle. The old part of the town is still surrounded by
the original boundary wall, with the gates Porta Alberti, Porta al
Sole and Porta al Rivellino, and a typical medieval military structure
which was the outpost outside the wall.
You access the historical centre by taking the paved narrow
and steep streets which take you to the Palazzo Pretorio. Built in
the XII century, the Palazzo Pretorio is the most representing building
in Certaldo. It was the residence of the Alberti family and then the
seat of the Vicar. In the desecrated Cappella dei Santi Tommaso e
Prospero you can admire the frescoes and sinopites from the XV and
the XXVI century. Among the masterpieces you find the Madonna col
Bambino by Fiorentinoand the Tabernacle dei Giustiziati by Benozzo
Gozzoli. Walking around Certaldo you can see beautiful medieval and
Renaissance architecture. Have a look at the palaces and the tower-houses
in the centre, the Chiesa dei Santi Jacopo e Filippo, from where you
enter the cell of the Beata Giulia, a legendary nun, and the Convento
dei Agostiniani which is a Romanesque interesting complex. In the
centre you also find the tower-house of Palazzo Macchiavelli, where
Boccaccio, the founder together with Dante and Petrarca of the Italian
language, is buried. The genie of Decamerone was born in Certaldo
in 1313. The Casa Boccaccio, which the tower and the loggia was reconstructed
after the last world war, and today is the centre of the Centri Studi
Nazionale sul Boccaccio and houses a big library. Among the activities
of the centre we can mention the exhibitions of contemporary artists
dedicated to Boccaccio and the annual Boccaccio award given to authors.
At the countryside around Certaldo you should visit the Pieve
di San Lazzaro at Lucardo, of Longobard origins, and the Castello
di Santa Maria Novella, rebuilt in the 16th century in a Gothic-Sienese
style. Also stop at the Cupola di San Michele at San Donnino which,
as its twin San Michele in Barberino Val d'Elsa, reproduces on a one
to eight scale the cupola of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. The
municipality of Certaldo has carried out a trekking itinerary and
a park along the river Elsa. Do not miss the "Mercantia",
the biggest Festival of street theatre in Tuscany, celebrated the
third Sunday in July every year. |
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