Distances from Castelfiorentino
Certaldo 8 Km
Montaione 8 Km
Gambassi 9 Km
Montespertoli 12 Km
Empoli 17 Km
Poggibonsi 21 Km
San Gimignano 23 Km
Vinci 25 Km
Colle Val d’Elsa 30 Km
Volterra 35 Km
Florence 40 Km
Siena 48 Km
Pisa 50 Km
Lucca 55 Km
Livorno 65 Km

The name, Castelfiorentino, dating back to 1149, was given to Castelvecchio, which had been built on the Via Francigena, in the place of the Roman settlement of Timignano.

The Church of S. Verdiana
(click to enlarge)

The fortified castle, on its hillside, enclosed the parish church of S. Ippolito (formerly named S. Biagio before the tenth century and the time of barbaric invasions) and, with a second circle of walls, Borgo d'Elsa and Borgo Nuovo.

There were a total of five gates, along with towers, but there were only two roads which crossed in the single town square (today called Piazza del Popolo). Beginning as an estate of the Cadolingi family and then of the Counts Alberti, it was progressively acquired by the Bishop of Florence in the XIIth century. It was then to suffer the consequences of the conflicts between Church and Empire, the political factions of the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, and between Siena and the same Florence.

For Florence, it was an important outpost, and thus obtained the seat of the chief magistrate, the privilege of Florence's symbolic red lily on its gonfalon, or banner, and the official integration of the name Castelfiorentino.

In 1260, after the battle of Montaperti, peace was signed between the two rival cities, but Castelfiorentino was still the backdrop of battles and military raids for centuries to come; until 1521 when it suffered a hard siege and was devastated by Spanish militias. Becoming diminished in its strategic importance (despite the restorations made by Cosimo I to its fortifications) its administrative importance also resulted limited, due to its dependence from the Vicariate of Certaldo. But in 1700, with the assistance of the grand duke of Lorena, Castelfiorentino made new progress and acquired both the seats of the chief magistrate and the Chancellery, with policemen and a wider jurisdiction stretching out to Certaldo and Montaione.

It accepted annexation into the Kingdom of Italy with almost unanimous plebiscite and, in 1868, it became the chief administrative seat. It was one of the first Italian municipalities to have an administration guided by the Socialist Party.

The territory offer numerous significant masterpieces such as frescoes attributed to Benozzo Gozzoli, the Church of S. Verdiana, Oliveto Castle, not to mention the many aristocratic villas erected in the areas of Meleto, Granaiolo, Cambiano, Cabbiavoli and Montorsoli noted for their historical and architectural value.

Festivals and annual celebrations

Festa di Santa Verdiana (Patron Saint) Held 1February every year and the first Monday after Pentecost (Whitsun).This event allows the visitor to rediscover the community’s religious traditions and to experience the lively atmosphere of the town’s festival.

IN/CANTI & BANCHI Held: fourth week-end in May This event is extremely interesting since it is the national appointment of the New Bards (Nuovi Cantastorie). On these days the old town centre is restored to its medieval appearance and the visitor can attend Street Theatre shows, taste typical dishes (tripe, ribollita, fettunta), browse through the small antique market and discover local craftsmanship.

PEOPLE’S THEATRE FESTIVAL (RASSEGNA DI TEATRO POPOLARE) - Castelnuovo d’Elsa Held: month of August

CINEMA UNDER THE STARS (CINEMA SOTTO LE STELLE) Held: month of August

THE SWEETEST DAY OF THE YEAR (IL GIORNO PIÙ’ DOLCE DELL’ANNO) Held: third Sunday in September On this occasion the inhabitants of the area of Castelnuovo d’Elsa (an ancient town in the Commune’s territory) prepare a vast selection of local cakes and biscuits for visitors.

NATIONAL EXCURSION DAY Held: first week-end in October The Great Mediaeval Ways: the Via Francigena in Valdelsa. This event allows the public to take mountain walks and discover the pilgrim ways of Mediaeval times.

CHORAL FESTIVAL Held: second Sunday in November

VALDELSA SUMMER: OPEN-AIR THEATRE AND MUSICAL FESTIVAL FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN Held: months of July-September

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public service organizations

Comune di Castelfiorentino E-mail

Tourist office: Tourist office contact: Toni Carla phone (+39): 0571/6861 Fax: 0571/62355

Population Information: Inhabitants: 16.911

Tourist Information office: Via Cosimo Ridolfi (Railway station) tel. and fax: phone (+39) 0571/629049) - Open: April-October

Economic Affairs Office: c/o Palazzo Comunale, P.zza del Popolo n.1 phone (+39) 0571/ 6861- fax: 0571/62355

Useful phones numbers:
Castelfiorentino telephone prefix: 0571

Castelfiorentino town hall, P.zza del Popolo n.1 phone (+39) 0571/6861

Municipal library, Via Tilli n.41 phone (+39) 0571/64019

Railway station, Via Cosimo Ridolfi phone (+39) 0571/64172

Municipal Police, Via Masini. phone (+39) 0571/64588

Carabinieri (military police), Via Masini phone (+39) 0571/64077

Emergency service: 112

Ambulance rescue service: 118

Fire brigade phone (+39) 0571/64744 or 115

A.C.I (Italian Automobile Club) road rescue service: 116

Post Office phone (+39) 0571/64062

Public telephone boxes:
Bar Buggiani, P.zza Cavour n.9 phone (+39) 0571/62266

Bar Pizzeria Olimpia, Via Masini n.1/3 phone (+39) 0571/64173

Hospital Via dei Mille n.1 centralino phone (+39) 0571/6831

Night Medical Service Via dei Mille n.1 0571/64666

Public Health clinic Via Masini n.11 phone (+39) 0571/64471

Public Health Office Via Masini n.11 phone (+39) 0571/61153

Ambulance 118

"Il Giglio" Health Clinic, P.tta de Amicis phone (+39) 0571/64067

Caravan parking area with discharge facilities
address: Via E.Che Guevara
E-mail

Public transport services
Railway station (lines for Empoli, Florence, Pisa, Siena, Grosseto, Chiusi, Roma ) phone (+39) 0571/64172

Bus services (lines for: Florence, Empoli, Gambassi Terme, Montaione, Certaldo, Volterra)

Taxi service phone (+39) 0571/684568

Car parks addresses:
Via XXIV May
P.zza Gramsci
P.zza Cavour
P.zza Kennedy
Viale Potente
Largo Boccherini
Via Benozzo Gozzoli
Via Tilli
P.zza del Popolo
P.zza AdiMari
Ospedale di Santa Verdiana
Via Leonardo da Vinci
Via Masini
Via Sant’Antonio
Via I Maggio
Via Duca D’Aosta
Viale Roosevelt
Via I. Bandiera
Via C.Battisti

Fairs and Markets typical products

Tuesday afternoon address: Via Bustichini

Saturday morning address: P.zza Kennedy, P.zza Gramsci

Sports facilities

Palazzetto Pala ABC, address: Via XXV April phone (+39) 0571/631978

Palazzetto dello sport address: viale Roosevelt phone (+39) 0571/632117

Stadio Comunale, address: Viale Roosevelt phone (+39) 0571/633383

Tennis courts
Circolo Tennis, adress:Via XXIV May n.14 phone (+39) 0571/62659

Sports facilities

Sport Centre, address: Viale Roosevelt n.10 phone (+39) 0571/632987

Fishing (campo gara in loc. Granaiolo)

Swimming pool (soon to open), via Duca D’Aosta

Bowls (see Municipal Stadium)

Istituto Enriques Gymnasium

Playing Field. Cambiano area

Playing Field. Castelnuovo area

Volunteer organisations (cultural, sporting and social):

Circolo Culturale "J. Maritain", Via Timignano n.1 phone (+39) 0571/64096

Circolo Filatelico Numismatico (Philately and Numismatics), Via C. Battisti n.13 phone (+39) 0571/64802

Valdelsa Historical Society, Via Tilli n.41 phone (+39) 0571/64019

G. Verdi music society, c/o address Via N. Pistelli n.24 phone (+39) 0571/633548

Polyphonic Choir C. Monteverdi
address Via Chianesi n.4
phones (+39) 0571/61862 0571/631393

Cineclub "Angelo Azzurro", address Via Tilli n.41 phone (+39) 0571/64019

Opera First, address Via Mazzini n.17 phone (+39) 0571/62033

"Giglio Rosso" photography club address P.zza del Popolo. phone (+39) 0571/632459

Astronomy Group, address Via Niccoli n.241 phone (+39) 0571/672307

Archeology Group,address Via Lorenzoni n.14 phone (+39) 0571/672274

Paleontology Group address Via Morandi n.14 phone (+39) 0571/632030

Amici del Turismo, c/o A.V.I.S., P.zza Gramsci

"Microscena" Cultural Association address Via XXV April n.10 phone (+39) 0571/631836

Gruppo Amici del Teatro di Castelnuovo address Via Lavagnini n.10 phone (+39) 0571/673009

Castelnuovo d’Elsa Festival Committee address Via Curiel n.19

Places of worship

Santuario di Santa Verdiana sec. XVIII

Chiesa di San Francesco sec.XIII

Insigne Collegiata dei Santi Lorenzo e Leonardo sec. XIII-XIV

Pieve dei Santi Ippolito e Biagio 1195

Chiesa di Santa Maria della Marca sec. XX

Entertainment facilities

Bowling Samarcanda, address Via Mendel n.7- Loc. Malacoda phone (+39) 0571/62482 (closed on Mondays)

Discoteca (disco dance) Kaleido, address Via Mendel - Loc. Malacoda

Games Hall, address Via Bovio

Cinema Puccini, address Via Matteotti

Teatro del Popolo (Theatre Foyer), address P.zza Gramsci