Volterra is one of 184 Italian small towns awarded with the "Bandiera Arancione" (Orange Flag) for excellency in tourism, hospitality and the environment.
Volterra, one of the most important Etruscan cities, was founded 2,000 years ago with the name Velathri and was larger than now.
The Etruscan mark is still present not just in the archaeological areas surrounding the city, but also inside the historical center, where visitors cannot miss the well-preserved Porta dell’Arco, an ancient city gate that is the main architectonical monument of the Etruscan Volterra, Porta Diana (another city gate), most of the old city walls and several catacombs.
Afterwards, in 5th century it became an Archbishop see and an important Episcopal center until 12th century, when Florence tried to conquer the city reaching its aim just in 16th century.
Volterra, famous for the alabaster extraction and work since Etruscan times, is a not-to-be-missed stop for whoever wishes to discover the land of Tuscany, so here are some of the main sights:
- Piazza dei Priori, once an Episcopal market, changed in 13th century, with the construction of Palazzo dei Priori - the most ancient City Hall in Tuscany.
- Piazza San Giovanni, with the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Baptistery, with an octagonal plan and white and green marble walls, surmounted by a cupola. Inside the cathedral, we remind you the Serguidi Chapel, decorated by Leonardo Ricciarelli, the amazing wood sculpture dating back to Romanesque Age, a real masterpiece and Cappella del Sacramento (another amazing chapel with paintings by Tito, Giovanni Balducci and Agostino Veracini. Close to the Cathedral, there’s a bell tower dating back to 15th century.
- the Medicean Fortress, located in the highest point of the city. We are talking about two fortifications: Rocca Vecchia and Rocca Nuova, ordered by Lorenzo de’ Medici after the Medicean reconquest of Volterra. Joined by a wall, today the fortress is a maximum-security penitentiary.
- Pinacoteca (Art Gallery) in Palazzo Minucci-Solaini, preserving artworks of artists from Florence, Siena and Volterra.
- the remarkable Etruscan city walls, which were modified in Medieval age and Porta dell’Arco, a well-preserved city gate from Etruscan age.
- Guarnacci Etruscan Museum inside Palazzo Desideri-Tangassi iso ne of the most important Etruscan collections in Italy, with thousands funeral urns from Hellenic and archaic ages.
- Fonte di Docciola, a public washhouse since 1250.
- Acropolis of Piano di Castello, inside the Enrico Fiumi Park, where archaeological excavations brought to light Roman and Etruscan finds.
- Area of Vallebuona, once a district of the ancient Etruscan city (larger than now), rediscovered since 1950: here digs found a Roman Theater belonging to 1st century BC, thermal baths (built when theatre was not used) and a great arcade, all built in different ages.
- Villa Medicea di Spedaletto, located outside the city in direction of Lajatico. Villa di Spedaletto was one of the several villas where Lorenzo the Magnificent often spent his time, and ordered to rebuild it.
