Casa Boccaccio was inhabited in the Middle Ages by one of the most controversial writers of his time: Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375). His former residence, now a museum, pays attention to his literature and one book in particular: The Decameron. This book was banned by several countries over the centuries, including the United States and France in the 19th century. Who was this controversial Italian writer and why was Decamerone controversial? Read all about it in this article!
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Who was Giovanni Boccaccio?
Giovanni Boccaccio was born in 1313 supposedly in Certaldo, or Florence. He was a poet, writer and humanist. He came from a wealthy family. His father was a merchant and Giovanni was taught the intricacies of business at an early age. But business was not his thing. He was more attracted to writers such as Dante and Petrarch. Thus, between 1334 and 1336, he wrote his first book, Caccia di Diana (The Hunt for Diana).
Boccaccio lived in Florence for a long time beginning in 1340. In 1348 his father and stepmother died and Giovanni was responsible for his parents’ estate. Between 1349 and 1360 he wrote his most famous book, The Decameron. In 1350, he also met his great role model Petrarch. The latter turned Boccaccio into a true humanist (understanding the usefulness of man and critical thinking). In 1363, the writer returned to his parental home in Certaldo. There he would stay until his death on December 21, 1375.
Source: Boccaccio, Giovanni – Austrian National Library, Austria – Public Domain
The Decameron? World-class book, but…
In Casa Boccaccio you will find a library with a number of books Giovanni wrote during his lifetime. But the most famous book is by far Decamerone. He wrote it in Florence and is a collection of 100 stories told in 10 days (deka is ten and hemera is day). Three men and 7 women are at the center of the book, staying in a country house in the huevels of Florence and fleeing the plague. This disease, better known as the Black Death, killed more than a third of Europeans between 1347 and 1351.
Pampinea, Filomena, Neifile, Fiametta, Elissa, Lauretta and Emilia and three
men named Filostrato, Dioneo and Panfilo tell each other 10 stories for 10 days. Important main themes are love (Amor), Fortune (Fortuna) and ingenuity (Ingegno). The stories can be funny, but also, on the contrary, fairy-tale, realistic and piquant. The book belongs to one of the most important works of the Italian Middle Ages. But the book was also controversial in some countries …
Source: By Boccaccio, Giovanni – Digitale bibliotheek van het European Library of Information and Culture en geüpload als gevolg van een samenwerkingsproject, publiek domein.
Why was The Decameron controversial?
The Decameron is known for its mockery of the clergy and those in authority, as well as some mildly erotic stories. However, the book was not first banned by papal censors until around 1500. It even appeared on the Index Librorum Prohibitorum. Catholics were not allowed to read the books on this list. Nevertheless, The Decameron remained popular, especially among seculars.
But also in the 19th century the book was banned in the United States, France and Latin America, among others, because of its criticism of the church and its sexual content. But it was not really banned; the book always turned up somewhere. And fortunately so, because The Decameron is one of the most extraordinary books of the Middle Ages.
Source: The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Room in the house at Certaldo, Italy, where Boccaccio was born” The New York Public Library Digital Collections
Bron: The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Exterior of the house at Certaldo, Italy, where Boccaccio was born” The New York Public Library Digital Collections
Visiting Casa Boccaccio?
Casa Boccaccio is among the few museums you can visit with a combo ticket. It is highly recommended to purchase this one. You can then also visit Museo di arte sacra and Palazzo Pretorio. For Casa Boccaccio, you won’t be long. This is the smallest musum of the 3. Unfortunately, much of the information is mostly in Italian. Weather permitting, you can visit the tower of the house.
Opening hours? In summer (April/October) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.. Other months from 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 16:30/17:30. Closed on Tuesdays.
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In Certaldo Alto you will find a number of nice museums that are really worth visiting. With a combi-ticket for these museums, a nice lunch and an evening dinner, you can easily spend a whole day. Or book other fun activities in Tuscany!
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Read more about Certaldo?
Bassetto Guesthouse! Staying in an Ancient Monastery in Tuscany
Chiesa dei Santi Jacopo e Filippo – Discover the Tomb of Boccaccio
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