Volterra Things to Do

The Baptistery of the cathedral stands right opposite to it at the same square. It is the 13th century structure and has octagonal base plan. Some elements on its facade indicating that baptistery could have been erected even at an earlier adte. The facade is adorned with stripes ofwhite and green marble, suggesting Pisano style which is very common in Tuscany. The interiors maintains simplicity but housing an exceptional piece of art. There is octagonal marble baptismal font sculptured by great Sansovino in 1502.

The splendid Renaissance palace Minucci, which now belongs to Solaini, is probably the most beautiful palace in Volterra. It has very elegant facade and exceptional inner courtyard. Palazzo Minucci the 15th century work of Antonio Sangallo the Elder in collaboration with Baccio d'Agnelo, nowadays is The Art Gallery and Civic Museum housing important local works of art.

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North of the cathedral, at the intersection of Via Roma and Via Ricciarelli is 13th century Casa-Torre Buonparenti. Right opposite to it stands the 12th century Casa-Torre Buonaguidi. This two medieval palaces, colloquialy called Case-Torri Buonparenti, are connected with an brick archway which is pretty unusual for the medieval times full of rivalty between the noble families. This is different story because Buonparenti and Buonaguidi were the families in marriage.

Casa Torre Toscano is composed of two towers constructed in 1250 and it's home of Giovanni Toscano who was the treasurer to the King of Sardinia. It is situated on the Piazza San Michele, right next to the church. The bulding was purchased by different local families and finaly was bought by Guarnacci who added the 16th century palace which descends the Via di Sotto.

Porta di Docciola was built in the 13th century, at the same time when new city walls were built. It served as a link between the city and the fertile valley bellow. The gate with its rounded arches still preserves the features of the 13th century Volterran architecture.

Porta dell Arco is the only remaining part of the ancients city walls from the 5th century. It was incorporated in the city walls, built in the 13th century, when the Ghibellines succeeded the Guelphs. From it external part the gate is decorated with the three human heads, could it be just a memory to those who were built the wall or it was warning for the enemies? In the medieval times it was habbit to cut off the head of the defeated enemy and expose it on the city walls.

Porta Fiorentina is originally called Porta San Agnolo, after the nearby church. It was built in a very typical architectual structure of Volterra, some modifications though carrried out in the 16th century. During the siege of the town in 1530, the tower above the gate, which served as an armoury, was completely destroyed. The gate leads to the direction of Florence and therefore the locals call it Porta Fiorentina.

Porta San Felice is the gate with a single arch sustained on both sides by the medieval walls. It is very different from the all other city gates. The gate flanks a tiny chapel and together with it creates one of the most attractive city sites, at least to me. The gate offers a magnificent panoramis view of the rolling hills around Volterra.