La Terrazza and Fiammetta are two holiday apartments within a 13th century house in unspoiled mediaeval Certaldo. This perfectly preserved Tuscan hill town is like a San Gimignano without the tourists.
Situated atop a hill in Tuscany, surrounded by the old city walls, stands the ancient town of Certaldo. And, within a 13th century house here, two marvellous holiday apartments give you the opportunity to stay in the heart of this unspoiled mediaeval city.
Certaldo is a town of cultural and historical interest. It is known worldwide especially as the hometown of Giovanni Boccaccio, who lived and died on 1375 in his house at Via Boccaccio. Certaldo is situated In Valdelsa, one of the most scenographic landscapes of Tuscany, for its sweet hills bordered of cypresses, castles and towers.
The apartments sit within a house restored in 1572 and constructed, like everything in Certaldo, in red brick.
Apartment La Terrazza
Apartment "La Terrazza" - (2+2 guests)
The apartment has traditional beamed ceilings and terracotta floors, and a
private, flower-filled roof terrace overlooking the rooftops to the countryside
beyond. First floor, via an internal staircase: sitting/dining room, kitchen
corner, double sofa-bed, double bedroom, shower/wc, roof terrace.
Apartment "Fiammetta" - (2+2 guests)
This apartment too has traditional beamed ceiling and terracotta floors. Ground
floor: sitting/dining room, kitchen corner, double sofa-bed, double bedroom,
shower/wc.
Prices, for board only, range between EURO €42 and €104 per night, depending on apartment and the season. This includes gas and electricity for cooking, and linen and towels. There will be an extra charge for heating and final cleaning of the apartment.
The house sits right opposite the Palazzo Pretorio, historically the most important building in Certaldo. The Palazzo was originally the residence of the Counts of Alberti, once rulers of the town and surrounding countryside. Later it became the seat of the Vicars of Florence. The 12th century palace is richly decorated with terracotta coats of arms and with frescoes, and now houses a collection of contemporary art.
From the Pretorio, the main cobbled street of Certaldo runs down to the bottom of the town, passing narrow alleyways, archways, palazzi and art shops. This is the perfect example of an unspoiled Tuscan hill town, but with one important difference - the remarkable absence of tourists. Unlike the hugely popular San Gimignano, just a few kilometres away, Certaldo is still largely undiscovered, with most people passing through the new part of town (down in the valley) oblivious to the hidden gem up on the hill.
The streets of Certaldo come to life, especially during the summer, when the town hosts numerous cultural, musical and artistic events; in the third week of July the spectacular Mercantia festival begins, with its street artists and Italian artisans on every corner.
In Certaldo Alto there are three restaurants, one pizzeria, two bars, a grocery store, handicrafts, souvenir and wine stores. In the modern town centre (walking distance or by funicular) you will find supermarkets, banks, bars, restaurants, chemist, and food shops. Market day is Wednesday. There is a railway station (Firenze-Siena line) In Certaldo you can enjoy recreational and sport activities: riding, swimming pool, tennis, trekking, and golf (10 Km).
[ View on Google Map | map of Tuscany ]
Distance from the principal towns of Tuscany: Firenze 40 km, Siena 30 km,
San Gimignano 10 km, Volterra 30 km, Pisa and Lucca 60 km, seaside at Versilia
and Maremma 80 km.
And from 'New' Certaldo, a funicular railway runs you up the hill, past the wheatfields, cypress trees and olive groves, to the old town above.
