Volterra is an amazing city, attractive and interesting. But so far few people know about him. Volterra is a harmonious fusion of the heritage of ancient culture and natural freshness. His pride is unique archaeological sites.
On the main square of Volterra - Piazza dei Priori
Volterra is a medieval small town in central Italy, in the Tuscany region. Fenced by an ancient wall, it stands on a steep steep hill. From the height of its fortifications a beautiful view of the surroundings opens.
Volterra is well known to fans of Stephanie Meyer's novel “The New Moon”. It was here that the writer settled the treacherous and bloodthirsty Volturi family. Of course, there are no vampires in the city. Yes, and filmed "The Twilight. Saga. New Moon" (2009) based on the Mayer novel in the town of Montepulciano.
When to go to Volterra
Volterra street
Geographically, Volterra belongs to the Tuscan province of Pisa. It is 50 km from the provincial capital, and 52 km from Florence. From the south-west the city is surrounded by the valley of the Cecina River, from the north-east - the Era Valley. The climate here is subtropical humid, with rainy, moderately warm winters, hot sunny summers. The average January temperature is around + 5 ° C; in July-August, up to + 28 ° C. Maximum precipitation falls in October-November.
Volterra is not the most comfortable city. In the summer it melts in the heat, and in the winter piercing cold winds blow. "The city of wind and rocks" called Volterra d'Annunzo. Here, on the cliffs, even the most cheerful people spoil the mood and attack melancholy.
But still - this is one of the most interesting Tuscan cities!
Sights
Arched gate
Stone gate
Gate of Marcoli
Dochchola Gate
Florence Gate
Gate of St. Francis
Gate of St. Felix
Medici Fortress
Archaeological park
Roman theater
City Council Palace
Pretorio Palace and Piglet Tower
Cathedral
Baptistery
Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art
Etruscan Museum
Pinacoteca
City wall
City Wall (Mura di Volterra), photo Pierelisa Maccaferri
The city is surrounded by a 7-kilometer fortress wall (Mura di Volterra), which was built during the Etruscans, reconstructed and updated until the XIII century. Seven gates are well preserved in it: arched Etruscan (Porta all'Arco), Stone (Porta a Selci), Florentine (Porta Fiorentina), Porta Marcoli, Porta di Docciola, Porta di Docciola, gates of St. Francis (Porta San Francesco) and St. Felix (Porta San Felice).
Medici Fortress
Medici Fortress (Fortezza Medicea), photo by Janericloebe
The Medici Fortress (Fortezza Medicea) rises on a cliff ledge, 600 meters from the main square. Medieval stronghold with semi-oval tower Femmina built in the XIV-XV centuries. Today it is a functioning prison, access is closed there.
Archaeological park
Archaeological Park (Parco Archeologico Enrico Fiumi), photo by John A Forbes
The archaeological park (Parco Archeologico Enrico Fiumi) with the ruins of the Etruscan and Roman periods is located in the city center. During excavations there were discovered reservoirs, foundations of temples, the remains of mansions, antique mosaics.
Roman theater
The ruins of the ancient Roman theater (Teatro romano), photo Jean-Christophe BENOIST
Fragments of the Roman Theater (Teatro romano) can be seen near the main square. The ruins of the covered gallery and portico (approximately I century BC) have been preserved.
City Council Palace
Palace of the City Council (Palazzo dei Priori)
On the main square Piazza dei Priori, lined with rough stone, stands the Gothic building of the Palace of the City Council - the Palace of Prior (Palazzo dei Priori), the oldest in Tuscany (1208). Its walls are decorated with the arms of the noble families of Florence.
Pretorio Palace and Piglet Tower
Pretorio Palace (Palazzo Pretorio)
Porcellino Tower (Torre del Porcellino), photo by Sailko
Above the strict facade of the Palazzo Pretorio (13th century), the rectangular Porcellino Tower (Torre del Porcellino) rises, adorned with a piglet figure and giving the tower a name.
Cathedral
Cathedral (Duomo di Volterra), photo by Enrico Carcasci
Romanesque Cathedral (Duomo di Volterra), built in the XII-XIII centuries after the earthquake of 1117, was consecrated in honor of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary. The bell tower was erected in the XV century. In the decoration of the temple preserved original sculptures of the XIII century, a fresco by Benozzo Gozzoli.
Baptistery
Baptistery and bell tower, photo by Re Gaude
Opposite the Duomo is the 13th century Baptistery (Battistero di San Giovanni), an octagonal structure with white-green marble facade and a Romanesque portal. There are two fonts in the sanctuary: the works of Andrea Sansovino (1502) and Giovanni Vacca (1759).
Museum of Sacred Art
Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art (Museo diocesano d'arte sacra), photo by Gianni Galleri
The Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art (Museo diocesano d'arte sacra) was located in the Episcopal Palace from 1932 to 2017 (Palazzo Vescovile, Via Roma, 13). Now it is a branch of the museum. After major repairs, the church of St. Augustine (Chiesa di Sant'Agostino) (address: Piazza XX Settembre) became the main building. In the 4 halls of the museum, paintings and sculptural works from temples, valuable religious accessories are exhibited, the altar "Villamagna", works by Rosso Fiorentino, and "Madonna on the Throne" - Daniele da Volterra, XVI century.
Etruscan Museum of Guarnacci
Etruscan Museum (Museo Etrusco), photo by marek & anna
The Etruscan Guarnacci Museum (Museo Etrusco Guarnacci) on Don Minzoni was created in 1761, the basis of the expositions was a private collection of fossil finds of the priest Mario Guarnachchi. It houses the largest collection of alabaster urns.
Pinacoteca
Art Gallery and Museum (Pinacoteca e Museo Civico), photo by Sarah Wilkins
Pinacoteca (Pinacoteca e Museo Civico) stands on Via dei Sarti. The museum has been operating since 1905. His collection includes paintings by Rosso Fiorentino, Ghirlandaio, Luca Signorelli.
For centuries
Mystical Lane
Old street
Volterra is the city of the Etruscans, which was part of the union of the Twelve. Then he was called Velatrius, he was an important political, commercial, craft center of Etruria. In the IV century BC a fortress wall was built here. From the 3rd century BC Volterra became part of the Italian Republic, in the 5th century it became the episcopal residence. In the XII-XIV centuries. it was a free commune, but from 1361 came under the rule of Florence, and from 1561 it became part of Tuscany.
What to bring from Volterra
Alabaster Souvenirs
For a long time, the extraction and processing of alabaster occupied a crucial place in the city’s economy. Today Voltaire has craft workshops and shops where you can buy decorative alabaster products. Tourists take with them in memory of the city the “artifacts” of pseudo-Etruscan finds and alabaster figures.
Events and Holidays
Medieval architecture
In early June, Volterra holds the Gioco delle Contrade Contest, which ends with a tug of war in Priorov Square.
In July, theater arts and jazz festivals take place at the Teatro Romano.
In August, the city transforms: the medieval festival "Anno Domini 1398" opens. Residents wear costumes of the XIV century. Theatrical tournaments begin on city squares. Modern money is not accepted at the festival: at the entrance to the city it is supposed to be exchanged for old Grosso coins.
The Astiludio Banner Tournament is held in September.
What to see in the surroundings
Abbazia dei Santi Giusto and Clemente Abbey, photo by Raimond Spekking
Outside the historic center of Volterra, you can see the ruins of the Etruscan gates of Port Diana, previously connecting the city with the necropolises. About 40 tuff tombs were found here.
Beyond the northern border of the city wall, on a nearby hill, is the dilapidated abbey of Saints Just and Clement (Abbazia dei Santi Giusto e Clemente, 11th century). The building is surrounded on four sides by stone columns, preserved from the 10th century from the Lombard sanctuary.
A few kilometers from the city is the commune of Montecatini Val di Cecina (Montecatini Val di Cecina) with a castle of 960 and the Romano-Gothic temple of Parrochiale.
Balze Cliffs - cliffs with steep steep descent, a panoramic platform overlooking the villages and valleys surrounding Volterra to the city walls. Landslides approach the city, destroy the hill. The authorities of Tuscany are looking for funds to save Volterra.
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