Certaldo city of art, where Boccaccio was born

CertaldoCertaldo city of art, where Boccaccio was born. Inhabited since the Etruscan times, the name Certaldo derives from the Latin phrase “cerrus altus” or from the Germanic, “cerrus aldo,” meaning ‘a rise covered in oaks. In 1164, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa conceded an area of ruins to the Alberti Counts in Prato, thus allowing them to take possession of the area where Palazzo Pretorio now stands.

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High pollution lurks in most Italian cities

High pollution in FlorenceMost Italian cities have higher levels of pollution than regulations permit, said an environmental report released Tuesday. Airborne pollution – made up of dust, smoke and hazardous substances in liquid form – exceeded legal limits in many cities, according to 2010 data collected by researchers. That included Florence, Prato, Rome, Milan, Pescara, Naples, Palermo and Siracusa.

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MSC, crew meningitis cases confirmed

MSC OrchestraMSC Cruises confirm that the four MSC Orchestra crewmembers who landed in Livorno, Tuscany, yesterday have been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. The four, one of whom diagnosed as being in critical condition, are currently in hospital. MSC Cruises and maritime authorities have agreed to offer passengers antibiotic profligacies. No other member of the crew has reported symptoms of the infection.

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