The “Mercantia Nights”
Mercantia is the moment when Certaldo Alto stops being a quiet medieval hilltown and becomes a layered stage: performances in streets and small squares, unexpected scenes in gardens, and shows that feel close enough to be personal. It is often described as Italy’s leading festival of street theatre, dedicated to the “fourth theatre”, and what makes it special is the setting: you are not “watching a programme”, you are walking through it, inside the borgo of Boccaccio. For Villa Vianci guests, it is one of the best evening-style experiences in Tuscany because it delivers atmosphere, variety, and a strong sense of place without the formality of an opera house or a stadium.
At a glance
- Drive time from Villa Vianci: 37 min
- Best for: festival lovers, street theatre and live performance fans, families with kids and teens
- Time needed: late afternoon to late evening
- Booking tip: buy tickets in advance online when possible, and use the funicular to reach Certaldo Alto with minimal stress
- Highlight: the entire medieval hilltown as a “walk-through stage”, with dance, music, circus arts, installations and artisan corners
What to experience
Treat Mercantia like a curated stroll, not a single show. The best approach is to arrive in the late afternoon, go up to Certaldo Alto, and let the first hour be orientation: understand the rhythm of the streets, note the spots that feel like natural stages, then start choosing what to follow. The festival’s language is deliberately mixed: you can move between physical theatre, music, juggling and circus-style acts, visual installations, and smaller moments that happen almost at arm’s length.
A practical way to make it feel “premium” rather than chaotic is to build your evening in two acts. First act: pick one or two headline performances and stay with them, resisting the urge to chase everything. Second act: slow down and browse what Mercantia does brilliantly, the in-between spaces: unexpected scenes in courtyards, quieter corners in gardens, and the pleasure of discovering something you did not plan. The festival is designed to reward wandering, and that is exactly what makes Certaldo feel transformed after dark.
Practical notes
Mercantia takes place in Certaldo Alto, and access to the borgo during the festival is reserved for ticket holders. You can reach it on foot via Via del Castello, or by the funicular from Piazza Boccaccio, which is often the smoothest option for evening arrivals.
Tickets can be purchased online, or on arrival in Piazza Boccaccio during festival days
Wear comfortable shoes: Certaldo Alto is beautiful, but it is stone, steps, and slopes. Bring a water bottle, and if you want a calmer dinner rhythm, eat early in Certaldo Basso or plan a later meal, so you do not lose your best hours in queues.
When
Mercantia runs every year in July over five days in Certaldo. Always confirm the daily timetable and any access details on the official channels before you go, because programmes and entry logistics can vary by day.
