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City: Volterra (Pisa) - Pop.
11300 - Alt : 531 m asl -
Location: Tuscany
 Description: It is also called the "windy town", thanks to
its hilltop location halfway between the valleys of central Tuscany.
A town with Etruscan origins, it became an important Episcopal seat
around the 11th century. Nowadays, the town is an important city of
art, also well known for the handicrafts of alabaster and onyx.
 Sights and Attractions:
• Porta all'arco (Important remains of Etruscan engineering dating
back to the 4th century B.C., it preserves the imposing jambs made
with big blocks of stone
• Piazza dei Priori (In the city center, it represents one of the
most harmonious and scenic medieval piazzas of Tuscany)
• Palazzo dei Priori(13th century, it is one of the most
ancient Town Halls of Tuscany. It is enriched by
elegant two-light windows, numerous coats of arms and maiolicas
belonging to Florentine families and nice tower with turrets
• The Duomo*** A Romanesque building, richly decorated,
with nice portal, big rose window. It preserves
several works by Mino da Fiesole (1471), by Bartolomeo della Porta
and 2 painted terracottas by Andrea della Robbia.
On the left is the fresco "Cavalcata dei Magi" by Benozzo Gozzoli
(1479). Other works by Taddeo di Bartolo, Antonio Vanni, Neri di
Bicci, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Luca Signorelli
•
 Baptistry: Octagonal building dating back to 1283, with a very
nice Romanesque portal. Inside are the baptismal font by Sansovino
and the decorated altar by Mino di Pietro
• "Quadrivio dei Buonparenti": Cross road between Via Roma and Via
Ricciarelli, it is one of the most evocative corners of the medieval
center of Volterra
• Palazzo Solaini: Elegant building by Antonio da Sangallo the
elder. It houses the "Pinacoteca" (picture gallery) and the Civic
Museum. Several works of art by Taddeo di Bartolo, Domenico
Ghirlandaio, Luca Signorelli, Rosso Fiorentino
• Palazzo Viti, preserves a rich collection of alabasters, ancient
porcelains and sacred vestments
• The Church of San Michele Archangel, preserves works of art by Pomarancio, Carlo Maratta and Andrea della Robbia
• The Roman Theater
• The Guarnacci Museum is considered one of the most important
Etruscan museums of Italy and preserves more than 600 cinerary urns
of extraordinary beauty. On display are several sarcophagus,
sculptures, vases, Etruscan bucchero ware, coins, jewelry, bronzes,
idols and small statues. Among the finds worthy of note are the "Urna degli Sposi" (1st century B.C.) and the "Ombra della
Sera"(2nd C BC)
• The Fortress
• Balze (Striking chasms created by landslides)
 Museums: Museo Diocesano di Arte Sacra, also called "Opera
del Duomo". It preserves important works of art belonging to the Duomo and other churches of Volterra by Andrea della Robbia,
Pollaiolo, Giambologna and by Rosso Fiorentino • The "Pinacoteca" (picture gallery) and the Civic Museum
housed in Palazzo Solaini (works by Taddeo di Bartolo,
Domenico Ghirlandaio, Luca Signorelli, Rosso Fiorentino) • Museum of Alabaster
Events:
- Volterrateatro - International Festival of theater, music, dance, poetry
and art (July) • Volterra AD 1398: A Medieval city in the year 1398
is recreated throughout the historical center with markets, open
workshops, musicians, jugglers, commoners and nobles; a unique
opportunity to experience the enchanting atmosphere of the Middle
Ages in one of the most beautiful cities of Tuscany. (2nd half of
August)
Market
Day: Saturday
Typical products:
Alabaster, onyx.
Surrounding smaller towns and hamlets: Saline di Volterra,
Villamagna
Neighboring towns: Casole d'Elsa , Castelnuovo di Val di
Cecina, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Gambassi Terme, Lajatico, Montaione,
Montecatini Val di Cecina, Peccioli, Pomarance, San Gimignano.
Nearest airport: Pisa Airport (70 km - 1 hour and half)
.
Nearest train station: Cecina train station (42 km or 1 hour
drive)
Public transportation:
website
Distances:
Florence 84 km, Milan 314 km,
Orvieto
117 km, Pisa 67 km,
Rome 234 km,
San Gimignano
30 km, Siena 53 km, the sea side
45 km.
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