Certaldo between history, art and the Tuscan landscape

Historic Certaldo between walls and landscape

Certaldo is a destination for travellers who wish to combine historic architecture, literature and the Tuscan landscape in a single stay. The historic centre of Certaldo, known as the Castello, is surrounded by walls with the three ancient gateways of Porta Alberti, Porta al Sole and Porta al Rivellino. The historic centre can be reached by funicular from Piazza Boccaccio. This connection gives your day planning a clear geographical focus.

Casa del Boccaccio and sacred art

Casa del Boccaccio is a house museum dedicated to presenting the work and life of Giovanni Boccaccio. It therefore offers direct access to a writer whose name is closely associated with Certaldo, without limiting your visit to views of the town alone.

The Museo di Arte Sacra was originally a 15th-century Augustinian monastery. It displays paintings from the 12th to the 16th century, including works by Cenni di Francesco di Ser Cenni, Ugolino di Nerio and Meliore. For visitors interested in culture, the collection’s chronological scope extends from the Romanesque period and the Middle Ages through to the Renaissance.

Palazzo Pretorio and historic artworks

Palazzo Pretorio is located in the highest and oldest part of the hill of Certaldo Alto, at the intersection of the medieval streets Via Boccaccio and Via del Rivellino. Numerous coats of arms have been preserved on its façade and inside, in frescoes, stone and glazed terracotta. They represent the families of the vicars who ruled Certaldo from the late Middle Ages until the creation of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

The former church next to Palazzo Pretorio, now deconsecrated, preserves frescoes and sinopias from the 15th and 16th centuries. The Tabernacolo dei Giustiziati dates from around 1464–65 and is attributed to Benozzo Gozzoli. The tomb of Giovanni Boccaccio is located in the Chiesa dei Santi Jacopo e Filippo.

Vineyards, olive groves and local cuisine

The area around Certaldo is characterised by vineyards and olive groves; between them, clay hills, rows of cypresses, cultivated areas and woodland alternate. As a culinary point of reference, Cipolla di Certaldo denotes a local variety of red onions with a sweet, distinctive flavour. Its designated cultivation area includes the municipality of Certaldo and several neighbouring municipalities. The vineyards, olive groves and Cipolla di Certaldo thus complement Certaldo’s historical and artistic themes with landscape and local cuisine.

Events in Certaldo

Boccaccesca is a traditional food and wine event in Certaldo that had reached its 26th edition. Mercantia is taking place again in Certaldo Alto; the theme and title of the 2026 edition are “Un’incessante Sinfonia”.

Discover more places

For further orientation in the area, you can also visit San Martino A Maiano, Luia, Marcoiano, Marcignana, Fontanella, Massarella, Linari and Polcanto.

For the higher-level travel overview: Florence.