- Volterra Events
- Volterra Tourist
- Volterra Attractions
- Volterra Museum
- Volterra Sightseeings
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Wed 23 Jul 2008
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History of Volterra
The "magic and mysterious" city of Volterra has its roots in three thousand years of history. It is possible to find evidence and traces from every historical period which gives the artistic city a unique aspect.
The ancient city walls, the imposing Porta all’Arco, the Necropolis of Marmini and the numerous archeological finds conserved in the Museo Etrusco Guarnacci like the Ombra della Sera with its unique profile, the funeral urns and the finely crafted jewellery, bear testimony of the Etruscan period.
The Etruscans from the 8th century B.C began to spread out over the slopes and in the 4th century B.C. the great defensive wall, more than seven kilometres long, was erected to enclose the urban centre , arable and pasture land vital for survival during a prolonged siege.
Defended by its natural position and impregnable fortifications, the Etruscan Velathri registered a remarkable development in its economy based on the mineral deposits of copper and silver in an area rich in forests,agriculture and husbandry. Velathri became one of the twelve city states of Etruria with a territory that extended from the river Pesa to the Tyrrhenian sea and from the river Arno to the basin of the Cornia river.
The last of the Etruscan Lucomons was forced to recognise the supremacy of Rome in the 3rd century B.C. after the battle of Lake Vadimone (283 B.C.) and became part of the Italic Confederacy in 260 B.C. changing its name to Volaterrae.
Relations with Rome were good. The populace expressed their solidarity during the second Punic War by supplying Consul Scipione with wheat and naval equipment and proved their loyalty during the social war which granted them the right to Roman citizenship in 90 B.C. with the Lex Julia de Civitate. A few years later, involved in the civil war between Marius and Sulla, Volterra sided with Marius. After a long bitter siege that lasted for two years (82-80 B.C.) Volterra had no choice but to surrender . The city was ferociously sacked, deprived of its citizenship and its territory declared "ager publicus".
The Theatre of Vallebona survives from the period of Augustus and suggests the importance of Volterra under Roman domination.
Volterra offers visitors views of the medieval, Roman and Etruscan worlds. Tour the medieval palaces and church buildings, walk through the Etruscan gateway (Porta all'Arco) and the Etruscan Museum with more than 600 funerary urns, contemplate the ruins of a First Century Roman theater.
Volterra still retains its medieval character, charm and atmosphere. Its isolated position has impeded any progressive development. The defensive wall built in the 13th century was the result of an urban development that began in the year thousand and was completed at the beginning of the 14th century.
Today the city conserves above all a Medieval aspect not only for the 12th century city walls but also because of the urban layout with narrow streets, palaces, tower houses and churches.
The Renaissance had an important influence on Volterra but without changing the city’s Medieval character.
From this period are the superb palaces of Minucci Solaini, Incontri-Viti and Inghirami, which are built into the Medieval city, the imposing Fortezza Medicea and the Convent of San Girolamo.
What to see and what to do in Volterra:
Piazza dei Priori: In the heart of the town, it represents one of the most harmonious and scenic medieval piazzas of Tuscany.
Palazzo dei Priori: Built in the 13th C, it is one of the most ancient "Palazzo Comunale" of Tuscany. It is enriched by elegant two-light windows, numerous coats of arms and maiolicas belonging to Florentine families. Palazzo dei Priori is surmounted by a nice tower with turrets.
Palazzo Vescovile
This palace originally built as a grain store became the bishop’s residence after 1472 when the Palazzo dei Vescovi was destroyed by the Florentines to make way for the fortress.
The great arches have been attributed to Antonio da San Gallo the Elder.
Palazzo Incontri
Now the Cassa di Risparmio di Volterra (the local bank), the palace is both Medieval and Rennaissance as recent restoration work has revealed.
After the Council of Trent the palace was a seminary until the end of the 18th century.
Palazzo Pretorio and the tower of little pig
This palace made up of several buidings and modified in the 19th century was origianally the seat of the podestà and the captain of the people. The tower considered to be one of the first towers built in Volterra is traditionally known as the Tower of the Little Pig for at the top of the tower there is a stone animal poised on a shelf.
Duomo:
Romanesque building (12th C) characterised by a nice portal, big rose window and is richly decorated. 3 nave interior, several works of art: "Deposizione" a notable ligneous sculpture, a marmoreous ciborium by Mino da Fiesole dating back to 1471 and "Annunciazione by Bartolomeo della Porta. Inside a chapel "Natività" and "Adorazione" , 2 painted terracottas attributed to Andrea della Robbia. On the left is the fresco "Cavalcata dei Magi" by Benozzo Gozzoli (1479) . It preserves also other works by Taddeo di Bartolo, Antonio Vanni, Neri di Bicci, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Luca Signorelli,
Battistero: 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.
Volterra is also a city of museums. Other than the Etruscan Museum there is the Civic Art Gallery with a fine collection of works from the Sienese and Florentine Schools, among which is the Deposition from the Cross by Rosso Fiorentino. The Museum of Sacred Art has an important collection of reliquary, 14th century Sienese sculpture and miniatures.
The alabaster craft whose history is inseparable from that of the history of the city, represents an other point of great interest. Browsing around the numerous exhibitions and workshops of the city, visitors will be charmed by the magic atmosphere.
Besides the art and history the surrounding area is rich in natural beauty. There are organised excursions on foot, on horse back or by bicycle along kilometres of sign posted itineraries enabling visitors to discover unique and beautiful places.
Museums and Art Galleries in Pisa:
Diocesan Museum of Religious Art
Volterra (Pisa) - Palazzo Vescovile, via Roma, 13
Phone +39 0588 86290
Picture Gallery and Municipal Museum
Volterra (Pisa) - Palazzo Minucci Solaini, via dei Sarti, 1
M. Guarnacci Etruscan Museum
Volterra (Pisa) - Palazzo Desideri-Tangassi, via Don Minzoni, 15
Phone +39 0588 86347
Events in Volterra:
APRIL:
Exhibition of "marzuolo" truffles
Entire day dedicated to local crafts)
MAY:
Exhibition of historic archery with crossbow.
JUNE:
5th Patron Saint of Volterra
Festivities by the historic groups of Volterra
JULY:
Volterrateatro - (important theatrical event)
The Etruscan Cup - Agility dog show
Volterra Jazz
AUGUST:
Volterra Jazz
The City of Volterra Cup - Automobile hill climb
Volterra A.D 1398 - Medieval Fair (for approximately 2 weeks)
SEPTEMBER:
Astiludio - National historic flag throwing competition (first Sunday of month)
OCTOBER:
Exhibition of white truffles and local traditional products (until the beginning of November)
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Hotel La Locanda ****
 Via Guarnacci 32I-56048 Volterra, Pisa
+39.0588 81547
+39.0588 81541
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Hotel San Lino ****
 Via San Lino, 26I-56048 Volterra, Pisa
+39.0588 85250
+39.0588 80620
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