Volterra, a “magical and mysterious”, city has its roots in three thousand years of history. It is possible to find traces and vestiges of different periods that make Volterra unique in the panorama of the city of art.
From Etruscan times there are the walls, the impressive Porta all’Arco, the necropolis of Marmini and the numerous archaeological finds preserved in the Museo Etrusco Guarnacci, where visitors can admire “L’Ombra della Sera” with its unique profile, the urns and the finely wrought jewellery.
The Theater of Vallebona, built in the Augustan Age, is a witness of the importance the city had in Roman times.
But the final structure of the city comes from the Middle Age. It is evident, not only in the internal walls, but also in the urban layout, with its narrow streets, its palaces, its tower houses and its churches.
The Renaissance affects Volterra significantly, but without altering the medieval atmosphere. Of this period are the superb palaces, Minucci Solaini, Incontri-Viti, Inghirami, the imposing fortress Medicea and the monastery of San Girolamo.
Volterra is also a city of museums. In addition to the Etruscan Museum there is the Pinacoteca Civica, with valuable artworks of the Florentine and Sienese school, including “La <deposizione dalla Croce” by Rosso Fiorentino. The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo also collects works of jewelry and sculptures from the XIV century of the Sienese school.
The craft of alabaster also has woven his own history with that of the city and it is another point of considerable interest. Visiting the many exhibitions or browsing in the craft shops visitors will be able to breathe a little of that magic atmosphere surrounding Volterra.
But there isn’t only art and history. The surrounding area is rich in natural beauties and landscapes offering visitors opportunities for excursions by foot, on horseback or by bike, along miles of marked routes.
Volterra is also famous for its gastronomic specialties of the Tuscan tradition and for its warm hospitality that is able to offer tourists. Visitors have a wide choice of accommodations: hotels, holiday farms, holiday apartments, a well equipped campsite and a hostel.
During the summer there also are cultural events, as VolterraTeatro, concerts of classical music, modern art exhibitions and folk events. All this allows guests to have a holiday not only for relaxation and tranquillity, but also exciting cultural moments.
Here the most important events for year 2009:
31 May – 08 November: exhibishion of Pieter De Witte, exhibition taking place in an evocative setting: Palazzo dei Priori
01 – 30 July: Festival of the Roman Theater, plays of Roman Writers
13 – 16 July: Festival VolterraTeatro, plays of Volterra and Surroundings
01 – 15 August: Volterra Jazz, jazz concerts
17 – 24 August: Volterra AD: recalling Medieval Volterra AD 1398
06 September: Astiludio, exhibition of flag-wavers.
For more information on accommodation, click here.
