A cena da Messer Giovanni

On Sunday, June 6 and Sunday, June 13, a historical reconstruction of a typical medieval dinner party will be held in Certaldo. A long table with 380 seats will stretch all the way down Via Boccaccio in the medieval upper part of the town (Certaldo Alto), with earthenware dishes, wooden tableware and a typical menu. 

When the Republic of Florence appointed a Vicar to Certaldo, each year on the occasion of the feast day of San Giovanni (June 24), a banquet of notables, nobles and landowners was organized in the central street of the village, who would converge here from the towns of the Vicariate to be served by the townspeople and the Vicar's servants, cheered by dancing, singing, “fuochi” (early fireworks) and “mirabilia” (a kind of Medieval Latin literature).

Since 2000, the initiative A Cena da Messer Giovanni (translating to “Dinner at Sir Giovanni’s”) recalls this historical happening and, in addition, the hospitality that Giovanni Boccaccio generously offered to scholars and friends by holding dinner parties in his family home. The initiative is also the result of extensive research into the foods of the time and the way they were served in earthenware dishes, using wooden spoons and an absence of forks.

The dinner will be attended by members of the Elitropia Association as cooks and servers in medieval costume.
A performance with acrobats and jugglers is scheduled during the dinner.

Information:

• Dinner starts at 8:00 pm
• Reservations are required via phoning +39 335 6988480 or emailing info@elitropia.org
• Complimentary earthenware dishes will be provided