Medieval towns

Certaldo’s surroundings feature many historical testimonies that date back to Medieval times, such as the ruins of the Catello di Pogni, located on a hill overlooking the Elsa valley and where a partially demolished tower is the main visible ruin. Other villages of considerable historical and artistic interest are San Miniato, located north of Certaldo, which dates back to the 8th century. Its Duomo is located in the ancient piazza which is dominated by the fortress and by the tower of Fredrick II – and Scandicci, again north of Certaldo, of Roman origin. In Scandicci there are as many as 50 archeological  sites the most important of which is the late Hellenistic one (III – I century BC.) located in Poggiarello. Castelfiorentino was built close at the intersection of Via Francigena and Via Volterrana and became a transit area for pilgrims and travelers who from Northern Europe travelled to Rome.

Today it counts several villas and castles, churches and parishes dating back to the 12th century.

South of Certaldo are the towns of Poggibonsi whose origins date back to Neolithic times, and Volterra of Etruscan origin. Well worth visiting in Poggibonsi are the Palazzo Comunale, the Palazzo Pretorio and the several churches in Gothic and Neoclassic style. In Volterra, the Roman theatre, which dates back to the first century BC which during the summer months is used for theatre shows.