The Certaldo Onion or Cipolla di Certaldo is one very special onion, is closely linked to the image of the land around Certaldo and has a special meaning for the inhabitants. The onion appears on the municipal coat of arms (a split shield, white and red, surmounted by an onion in a white background with the motto Per natura sono forte e dolce ancora / e piaccio a chi sta e a chi lavora [By nature I am yet strong and sweet / I please those who stay and work]), probably as far back as the times of the Counts Alberti who dominated the area in the 12th century.
Certaldo’s Onion is sought after for its original taste, as well as being representative of the region (it appears on the coat of arms since the Middle Ages).

Cited in Boccaccio’s Decameron, the Vernina variety is a symbol of its town of origin. Two varieties exist. The Statina is round in shape and purplish in color with succulent flesh. It is best eaten in the summer months. The bright red and pungent Vernina is harvested from the end of August through the winter months. Both varieties are excellent for soups and for francesina, a dish of boiled beef and onion. for soups, and also to make a jam; it is a product certified by a specific mark of quality.

"Per natura sono forte e dolce ancora/e piaccio a chi sta e a chi lavora"

Certaldo's motto is a metaphoric encomium to the onion, that can be translated as “by nature I am both strong and sweet, and I please those at work and those at rest” .

Fresco, Palazzo Pretorio.

Weekly Market Certaldo: Wednesday
Via Giacomo Matteotti, from 8.00 to 13.00.

Tourist Information Office - Certaldo
Piazza Masini c/o Stazione Ferroviaria
tel. +39 0571 656721