Sights in Volterra

Even today, Volterra is entered through the famous, 4th century city gate Porta all'Arco. Traces of the Etruscans and Romans, the dome, impressive palazzi and the giant Medici fortress define Volterra's townscape.

The Porta all'Arco was rebuilt by the Romans as a part of the Etruscan city walls and remains an impressive monument to this era. The massive gate leads visitors into the city.

Piazza dei Priori

The Piazza dei Priori in the heart of mediaeval Volterra has been used as a market place since the ninth century. The representative palazzi give the old square a strict ambience, despite the arcades and spires. The Palazzo dei Priori from the 13th century is of great importance as the oldest town hall in Tuscany.

Duomo Santa Maria Assunta

The former bishop's city could not be without a dome. It was built in the 12th century in Romantic style and later decorated in green-white marble following Pisa's style.

The interior houses a pulpit, supported by pillars and a magnificent wooden sculpture of the taking down of the cross, which are worth seeing.

Fortezza Medicea

The mighty mediaeval fortress Fortezza Medicea can be seen from afar on the highest point in the city. It has been used as a high security prison since the end of the 19th century.

Archeological park and Roman theatre

Shady trees not only invite you to relax in the Parco Archeologico, but also invite you to take a journey through time. Excavations next to the prison revealed Etruscan ruins, as well as Roman temples and cisterns.

In Volterra's north, a view of the first century Roman theatre can be enjoyed from the Via Panoramica. Some excavated baths are also part of the sight.

Etruscan museum Guarnacci

The well-known Museo Etrusco Guarnacci has a wide range of archeological material, which was found in Volterra over the course of centuries. The collection is known as one of Tuscany's the most important and shows not only urns and sarcophaguses, but also jewellery and coins. The highlight of the collection is the bronze Ombra della Sera.

Impressive landscape: Balze

Anyone who looks at the city from the north or east will see cliffs, which were created by a landslide. The Balze (balza- cliff) in Volterra are the result of a geological phenomenon, which changed the hillsides drastically over time. Porous clay and tuff soil broke off and formed ravines and chasms, pulling graves, houses and churches along with it.

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