Volterra Things to Do

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Volterra is home to the Fortezza Medicea, which sits on the hill at the south eastern corner of town. The fortress is really made up of two forts - the oldest part dates back to the 14th century, while the 'new' fort was constructed in the 15th century to improve the city's defences, and a wall was built to connect the two.

These days, this imposing looking Fortress is not open to the public, as it is used as a prison! The closest look you can get is by going for a wander in the pretty Parco Archeologico.

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Located on the city's northern edge is an unusual sight - a Roman Theatre. Construction began back in the 1st Century BC - pretty old hey! This considered, the remains are pretty well intact, and are some of the best preserved Roman ruins in Italy.

The site was only re-discovered in the 1950's - previously it was being used as a rubbish dump.

You can still see some of the original marble columns, the rows of seats and the tunnels that were used to access the stage and seats. Behind the theatre are the Roman Baths, also well preserved.

The entrance is down on Viale Francesco Ferrucci, but for a great view over the area, head to Via Lungo Le Muro del Mandorlo (just off the bottom end of Via Guarnacci).

Free admission

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Volterra's main square is Piazza dei Priori, and it is ringed by impressive medieval mansions. It is a neat and tidy looking square, with the obligatory cafés available to relax at and enjoy some people watching with your coffee.

The most important building in the square is the Palazzo dei Priori - the town hall. Dating back to the 13th century, it is the oldest seat of local government, or Palazzo Comunale, in Tuscany. It has elegant arched windows, and many coats of arms both inside and out.

The other main building on the square is the Palazzo Pretorio, also dating back to the 13th century. This palace is made up of several different buildings, but of most interest is the Torre del Porcellino (Tower of the little Pig) jutting out from the top. This was one of the first towers to be built in Volterra and it is so named because of the small pig that sits on a small shelf that stick out from the tower.

Also of interest is the Palazzo Incontri, which now houses the local bank, and the Palazzo Vescovile, which used to be the Bishops residence.

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The Etruscan city of Volterra is contained within two sets of ancient walls. The Etruscan walls enclose the city and date back to the 4th century BC. The Medieval walls were built inside the original walls to help defend the city back in the 13th century.

The most impressive of all the gates within the walls is the Porta all'Arco. This ancient Etruscan gate is in excellent condition considering it is a couple of thousand years old!

It is located at the bottom of Via Porta all'Arco, and is the main gateway to ancient Volterra. Our hotel was located just down the hill from this gate, so it was the first thing we saw when we went to check out the town. If you walk up along the walls just next to the gate you will be in a prime position for watching the stunning Volterran sunsets.

There are several other medieval gates around town, but none have the same grandness as the Porta all'Arco. I read that in 1944 when the German's were attacking, the locals filled up the gate with stones to help support it and disguise it from being a target. Clever locals!

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During the 4th century the thatre was abandoned and was erected on the east side of the area a thermal buiding. You can see 5 rooms and some of them, like apodyterion has got interestic mosaics.

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The Roman Theatre was built in the beginning of the 2nd century BC. You can see 19 lines of the central seats of the cavea. The orchestra had got a semi-circular shape and it was decorated with different kinds of marble.
One of the most interesting ruins is the pulpitum and the frons scaenae which was decorated and suddivided in two floors.

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Near the Medieval walls there is the Archeological Areao of Vallebuona. Here you can see the ruins of the Roman Theatre (outside the walls of the Medieval town). In the century the place became a rubbish dump so it protected the area from the pillage.
From the Piazza Pescheria you can see a wonderful view over the site!!!!

This was a little stop on the road to return at home after a Week end on the Tuscani coast.
there was so much traffic on the principal freeway that to avoid this inconveninece we do the road to Volterrra and Florence after.
I was in Volterra many years ago and Lorenzo had neve been here so we parked the car in the upper parking constucted under the town an we star to walk with no idea.
It was july, and sunday so many turist as ther, there was also a medieval fair with some medieval player and singer in the main square, waitin for the Balestra game ( balestra is an anchient arrow weapon).
We leave the main street, too much crowded and we walk looking for a place I remember we play a tv-film in the 70ies. We arrived in the Cathedral square, with battistero where there was a concert of old medieval music.
After we stopped in a terrace to see the panorama and we talk with some woman, named gattare because they feed the free cats...Volterra is the town of the free cats!