Volterra

Welcome to Volterra, a city that sits on a high hilltop in Tuscany, offering views that on a clear day can stretch as far as the island of Corsica. Volterra is not a typical Tuscan town; it is one of the oldest continually…

Our journey into the heart of Volterra begins at the Porta all'Arco, the city's most significant gateway and a rare survival of ancient Etruscan military architecture. Built using massive blocks of tuff stone, this gate has…

We arrive now at the Piazza dei Priori, the vibrant center of Volterra and home to its 700-year-old city hall, the Palazzo dei Priori. This palace claims to be the oldest in Tuscany and served as the architectural model for the…

Just a short walk from the center brings us to the Roman Theater of Volterra, an architectural wonder excavated as recently as the 1950s. Built at the end of the first century BC during the era of Augustus, this theater could…

The Guarnacci Etruscan Museum is the essential stop for anyone wishing to understand the soul of Volterra. It is filled from top to bottom with artifacts mostly excavated from local tombs, dating back centuries before Christ. …

Alabaster has been the specialty of Volterra for centuries, a traditional industry that still flourishes in local workshops. This stone, quarried nearby, is softer and easier to work than marble, and is highly appreciated for its…

Volterra is a paradise for food lovers, where the 'king of the Tuscan forest'—the wild boar—is a staple of the local diet. Walking down the main street, you will find specialty stores filled with wild boar sausages, ham hocks,…

As we conclude our walk through Volterra, we take a moment to appreciate the 'serene peace' and the stunning panoramic views that define this hilltop treasure. From the strategic heights of the Medici Fortress—originally built to…