VolterraVolterra
The charming town of Volterra rises in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. Dating back to the Etruscan era (7th century B.C.), it is the proud custodian of thirty centuries of history.
The town is surrounded by medieval walls, which were built inside the pre-existing and more extensive Etruscan belt. Once inside visitors are treated to the architectural beauty of this gem of Italian art, from the splendid sight of Piazza dei Priori, the centre of town life lined with Palazzo dei Priori (13th century), Palazzo Pretorio with the tower Torre del Porcellino, Palazzo Vescovile, Palazzo del Monte Pio and Palazzo Incontri. Whereas religious buildings frame Piazza San Giovanni: Cathedral, Baptistry and Ospedale di Santa Maria (today a study and convention centre). Elegant Renaissance buildings alternate with the most austere medieval tower houses all along the streets and alleyways that lead to the imposing Fortezza Medicea, a fortress that today serves as a prison.
Volterra is a city of alabaster production: it is not unusual to come across small craft workshops where visitors can watch the long practised method of working the candid stone. Volterra still retains various links to its Etruscan origins, such as a door (Porta all'Arco) and numerous artefacts conserved in the Guarnacci Museum.
Aside from the Guarnacci Museum, the other museums in Volterra have a great deal to offer, including the Civic Art Gallery, displaying valuable canvasses such as the Deposition by Rosso Fiorentino and the Annunciation by Luca Signorelli, the Diocesan Museum of Religious Art, Palazzo Viti and the Alabaster Museum.
The Theatre (1st century B.C.) is a remaining relic of the subsequent Roman period, where the Festival of theatre, music and poetry is hosted in the summer.
Volterra enjoys a bustling calendar of events that ranges from the Volterra Theatre summer shows (the Compagnia dei Detenuti – company of detainees - show is particularly interesting) and Volterra Jazz, from the historical display of the Medieval Week and the Astiludio Tournament to the Volterragusto and Volterra Mercato e Gusto culinary reviews.
The territory spans from the valleys of the river Era in the north to the river Cecina to the south. This land of contrasts evolves from a landscape of sweet rolling hills to harsh badlands and craggy ‘calanchi’ and ‘biancane’ formations to reach the Berignone-Tatti Natural Reserve. The impressive geological phenomenon of the ‘Balze’ is best viewed from the western slopes of the high hills that house city. This enormous crater is the result of the erosive action of the water and is responsible for the destruction of part of an Etruscan necropolis and a church. The Chiesa di San Giusto church and the Badia Camaldolese abbey (11th century) are close by.
