 | Volterra Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 90 |  |
Popular Things To Do | Other Things To Do Tips | All Tips (90) The Etruscan city of Volterra is contained within two sets of ancient walls. The Etruscan walls enclose the city and date back to the 4th century BC. The Medieval walls were built inside the original walls to help defend the city back in the 13th century.
The most impressive of all the gates within the walls is the Porta all'Arco. This ancient Etruscan gate is in excellent condition considering it is a couple of thousand years old!
It is located at the bottom of Via Porta all'Arco, and is the main gateway to ancient Volterra. Our hotel was located just down the hill from this gate, so it was the first thing we saw when we went to check out the town. If you walk up along the walls just next to the gate you will be in a prime position for watching the stunning Volterran sunsets.
There are several other medieval gates around town, but none have the same grandness as the Porta all'Arco. I read that in 1944 when the German's were attacking, the locals filled up the gate with stones to help support it and disguise it from being a target. Clever locals! Leave a Comment
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Volterra is home to the Fortezza Medicea, which sits on the hill at the south eastern corner of town. The fortress is really made up of two forts - the oldest part dates back to the 14th century, while the 'new' fort was constructed in the 15th century to improve the city's defences, and a wall was built to connect the two.
These days, this imposing looking Fortress is not open to the public, as it is used as a prison! The closest look you can get is by going for a wander in the pretty Parco Archeologico. Leave a Comment Directions: Guarding the south eastern corner of town, off Via del Castello
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Located just across the piazza from the cathedral is the cute looking baptistry. The baptistry is an octagonal building, which dates back to the 13th century, though its dome was added in the 16th century.
The façade above the door is decorated in lovely green and white marble. Inside, in the centre of the baptistry, is the baptismal font which dates back to 1760. Of greater historical interest though is the small, octagonal baptismal font in the corner, which depicts the baptising of Christ, and this was sculptured in 1502.
We found the baptistry a peaceful place for reflection and enjoyed checking out the two fonts.
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Located on the city's northern edge is an unusual sight - a Roman Theatre. Construction began back in the 1st Century BC - pretty old hey! This considered, the remains are pretty well intact, and are some of the best preserved Roman ruins in Italy.
The site was only re-discovered in the 1950's - previously it was being used as a rubbish dump.
You can still see some of the original marble columns, the rows of seats and the tunnels that were used to access the stage and seats. Behind the theatre are the Roman Baths, also well preserved.
The entrance is down on Viale Francesco Ferrucci, but for a great view over the area, head to Via Lungo Le Muro del Mandorlo (just off the bottom end of Via Guarnacci).
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Parco Archeologico is Volterra's public park, sitting at the southern part of town. It is called an archaeological park as it is home to some ancient remains, such as some Etruscan tombs and a Roman-era reservoir.
The main attraction of the park however, is that it is a leafy place to relax for a while. It is great for picnicking families and there are some swings etc for the kids. There is also a café and public toilets.
A great place to take a break from Volterra's museums, and to get a closer look at the Fortress next door. Leave a Comment Address: Via del CastelloDirections: Head for the fortress and you will find the park
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Volterra's cathedral was built in the 12th & 13th centuries, and it is located just back from Piazza dei Priori. It has a Romanesque façade, with a large rose window above the door. Highlights include the 15 century tabernacle, which rises about the high altar, and the beautiful gold gilded ceiling.
The cathedral's interior was completely modified in the 16th century, and further restoration work was carried out in the mid-19th century, when the walls were painted in stripes and the floor was re-laid in black & white marble.
We enjoyed a wander inside the cathedral before checking out the nearby baptistry.
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Volterra's main square is Piazza dei Priori, and it is ringed by impressive medieval mansions. It is a neat and tidy looking square, with the obligatory cafés available to relax at and enjoy some people watching with your coffee.
The most important building in the square is the Palazzo dei Priori - the town hall. Dating back to the 13th century, it is the oldest seat of local government, or Palazzo Comunale, in Tuscany. It has elegant arched windows, and many coats of arms both inside and out.
The other main building on the square is the Palazzo Pretorio, also dating back to the 13th century. This palace is made up of several different buildings, but of most interest is the Torre del Porcellino (Tower of the little Pig) jutting out from the top. This was one of the first towers to be built in Volterra and it is so named because of the small pig that sits on a small shelf that stick out from the tower.
Also of interest is the Palazzo Incontri, which now houses the local bank, and the Palazzo Vescovile, which used to be the Bishops residence. Leave a Comment
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Oh, yes they do. O.K. so maybe they use a few electrical tools but I can attest that the hand finishing is just that, done by hand.
The wonderful works of art being moulded in this cottage industry were a sight to behold.
As I am an advocate of wandering down alleyways and exploring, especially in historical cities, I feel coming across places like this make it all worthwhile.
If you are facing the museum just go to your left and head down the first alley and keep your eyes peeled on the left hand side.
There, the alabaster casts and statues will delight your eyes and, if you have enough money, you can even buy them. After all, that's what this "factory" is all about.
The name “alabaster” is undoubtedly Egyptian and probably derives from the city of Alabastron which was famous for the manufacture of vases and amphorae made as perfume containers.
There are two varieties of alabaster: the oriental alabaster ( calcium carbonate) and the chalky alabaster ( hydrated calcium sulphate).
This chalky alabaster, carved in Volterra and mostly mined in Castellina Marittima was formed during the Miocene period as the sediments of calcium sulphate contained in the sea water underwent a process of concentration. A soft white stone, alabaster is more easily carved than marble and thus ideal for intricate decoration and classical sculpture work. Leave a Comment
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Palazzo dei Priori, built between 1208 and 1254, is the oldest civic hall in whole Tuscany. The striking facade has been remofelled several times and in 1472 the gallery and balcony overlooking the square were demolished and the two doors on the right were walled up. The palace was the official residence of the Fiorentine governors of Volterra, and it was returned to the city in 1513 by the Midici. On the outside wall the heraldic shields in honour of the Fiorentine governors still can be seen. The building is in the original Romanesque style, except for the mullioned windows remodelled according to the Fiorentine style. Leave a Comment Address: Piazza dei Priori
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Strolling the hilltop park we, at times, were beside some Etruscan excavations. Unfortunately for us they were fenced off and inaccessible. Thus it was the only shot available was the sunset as it cast its fading hazy beams across the ruins.
The Etruscan acropolis is situated at the heighest point of Volterra 552 metres above sea level offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding countryside including the sea and the Appennines, always assuming you don't have the seemingly eternal haze!
The acropolis, situated in the beautiful surroundings of a landscaped park named after the Volterran archeologist Enrico Fiumi, is a very interesting archeological site showing evidence of the superimposed layers of the history of the city.
This part of the city was destroyed in 1472 by the Florentines and the site not only encloses the foundations of two Etruscan temples , identified as temples A and B, but the road which delimited the sacred area, the vestiges of dwellings dating back to the Hellenistic period, a complex system of cisterns one of which is known as the Piscina and the ruins of medieval towers and roads . Leave a Comment
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