The Palazzo Pretorio, built in the 12th century, was the residence of the Alberti Counts, and was later enlarged and modified to serve the purposes of the Vicariate. In the Palazzo and the now de-consecrated annexed church of SS. Tommaso e Prospero (from the early 13th century), we can admire frescoes and sinopites from the 15th and 16th centuries.

Certaldo Alto is the home of Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375), one of the fathers of the Italian language. The novelist’s house and his tomb are still preserved (the tomb is in the church of SS. Jacopo e Filippo).

Boccaccio’s house, a tower and a loggia rebuilt after the Second World War, is now the seat of the National Boccaccio Study Centre, with a rich library and a notable collection (over 500) of contemporary artists’ work which is periodically exhibited in the hall of the Palazzo Pretorio, and the "Premio Boccaccio", a prize awarded to modern-day writers who have had critical success.