Tuscany Review
  • Home
    • Contact
    • The Italy Review Network >
      • Italy Review
      • City Guides >
        • Florence Review
        • Milan Review
        • Naples Review
        • Pisa Review
        • Roma Review
        • Turin Review
        • Venice Review
        • Verona Review
      • Region Guides >
        • Northern Italy >
          • Emilia Romagna Review
          • Friuli Venezia Giulia Review
          • Liguria Review
          • Lombardy Review
          • Piemonte Review
          • Trentino Review
          • Valle d'Aosta Review
          • Veneto Review
        • Central Italy >
          • Abruzzo Review
          • Lazio Review
          • Marche Review
          • Molise Review
          • Umbria Review
        • Southern Italy >
          • Amalfi Coast Review
          • Basilicata Review
          • Calabria Review
          • Campania Review
          • Puglia Review
          • Sorrento Review
      • Island Guides >
        • Capri Island Review
        • Elba Review
        • Ischia Review
        • Ponza Review
        • Procida Review
        • Sardinia Review
        • Sicily Review
  • Things to see in Tuscany
    • Cities of Tuscany >
      • Florence
      • Pisa
      • Siena
      • Lucca
      • Arezzo
      • Prato
      • Pistoia
      • Livorno
      • Grosseto
      • Massa
      • Carrara
    • Scenic Towns of Tuscany >
      • Hill Towns of Tuscany >
        • San Gimignano
        • Pienza
        • Volterra
        • Montepulciano
        • Cortona
        • Montalcino
        • Monterchi
        • Monteriggioni
        • Massa Marittima
        • San Miniato
        • Fiesole
        • Roccatederighi
      • Seaside Towns in Tuscany >
        • Viareggio
        • Castiglione della Pescaia
        • Forte dei Marmi
        • Porto Santo Stefano
        • Porto Ercole
        • Orbetello
        • Rosignano Marittimo
        • San Vincenzo
        • Follonica
      • Orange Flag Towns of Tuscany >
        • Pitigliano
        • Chiusi
        • Santa Fiora Amiata
        • Casciana Terme
        • Lari
        • Sarteano
        • Certaldo
        • Castiglion Fiorentino
        • Trequanda
        • Radicofani
        • Peccioli
        • Casale Marittimo
        • Barberino Val d'Elsa
        • Cutigliano
        • Casole d'Elsa
      • Tuscany's Borghi Piu Belli d'Italia >
        • Giglio Castello
        • Sovana
        • San Casciano dei Bagni
        • Castiglione di Garfagnana
        • Coreglia Antelminelli
        • Lucignano
        • Poppi
        • Castelfranco Piandisco
        • Suvereto
        • Buonconvento
        • Montescudaio
        • Scarperia
        • Anghiari
        • Montemerano
        • Barga
        • Loro Ciuffenna
      • Historic Towns of Tuscany >
        • Vinci
        • Pietrasanta
        • Colle di Val d'Elsa
        • Pontremoli
        • Asciano
        • Sorano
        • Bagni di Lucca
        • Reggello
        • Chianciano Terme
        • Sansepolcro
        • Pomarance
        • Borgo San Lorenzo
        • Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
        • San Quirico d'Orcia
      • Pretty Villages of Tuscany >
        • Lajatico
        • Borgo a Mozzano
        • Ponzanello
        • Panzano in Chianti
        • Castiglione d'Orcia
        • Mammiano
        • Montemassi
        • Prata
      • Vineyard Towns of Tuscany >
        • Greve in Chianti
        • Bolgheri
        • Radda in Chianti
        • Carmignano
    • Beach Resorts of Tuscany >
      • Castiglioncello
      • Lido di Camaiore
      • Marina di Cecina
      • Marina di Pietrasanta
      • Marina di Pisa
      • Talamone
      • Marina di Bibbona
      • Baratti
      • Punta Ala
      • Marina di Massa
      • Tirrenia
      • Quercianella
      • Marina di Carrara
    • Beaches of Tuscany >
      • Cala delle Caldane Beach
      • Cala delle Cannelle Beach
      • Cala Spalmatoio
      • Cala del Leone
      • Arenella Beach
      • Campese Beach
      • Spiagge Bianche
      • Le Rocchette
      • Ansedonia
    • Religious Sites of Tuscany >
      • Abbey of Sant'Antimo
      • La Verna
      • Abbey of San Galgano
      • Vallombrosa Abbey
      • Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore
      • San Vivaldo
      • Certosa di Pontignano
    • The Tuscan Archipelago (Arcipelago Toscano) >
      • Elba
      • Giglio
      • Capraia
      • Pianosa
      • Giannutri
      • Montecristo
      • Gorgona
    • Parks & Nature Reserves of Tuscany >
      • Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park
      • Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona & Campigna National Park
      • Migliarino San Rossore Nature Park
      • Parco di Pratolino
      • Calafuria Nature Reserve
    • Landmarks of Tuscany >
      • Ponte della Maddalena
      • Lake Bilancino
      • Lake Santa Luce
      • Monte Amiata
    • Natural Spas of Tuscany >
      • Saturnia
      • Bagno Vignoni
      • Bagni San Filippo
    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Tuscany >
      • Medici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany >
        • Medici Villa La Ferdinanda - Artimino
        • Medici Villa Poggio a Caiano
    • Ski Resorts of Tuscany >
      • Abetone
  • Travel
    • Tuscany Airports >
      • Pisa Airport
      • Florence Airport
    • Sea Ports of Tuscany >
      • Piombino
      • Giglio Porto
  • Tuscany Hotels
  • Tuscany
    • Provinces of Tuscany >
      • Metropolitan City of Florence
      • Arezzo Province
      • Grosseto Province
      • Livorno Province
      • Lucca Province
      • Massa & Carrara Province
      • Pisa Province
      • Pistoia Province
      • Prato Province
      • Siena Province
    • Mountain & Valley Regions of Tuscany >
      • Val d'Orcia
      • Chianti
      • Maremma
      • Casentino
      • Garfagnana
      • Mugello
      • Alpi Apuane Regional Park
      • Val d'Elsa
      • Monte Argentario
      • Crete Senesi
      • Monti dell'Uccellina
      • Val di Cecina
      • Valdichiana
    • Versilia

Volterra​

Volterra


Occupying a lofty perch overlooking some of Tuscany's most breathtaking landscapes, Volterra is a treasure trove of Etruscan history overlaid with some of the region's finest Renaissance architecture. 

Approaching Volterra by car you can't fail to be moved by the unique vistas provided by the Val di Cecina's rolling hills; verdant fields of green for most of the year, turned a baked yellow during the summer months. As the road continues its steady climb you're finally met by Volterra's famous Balze cliffs surrounding the city.
Way back as far as the 8th century BC, the Etruscans formed a settlement at Volterra, attracted by its rich mineral resources. The city's early wealth and prosperity was built partially upon its reserves of alabaster. You don't have to look far to find examples of Volterra's alabaster industry with dozens of shops selling trinkets while the Ecomuseo dell'Alabastro displays the finest wares of the material. 

Wind forward some 2,200 years and you reach the Renaissance period which has left an even larger imprint on Volterra than the Etruscans. The city's jewels of this period centre around the main square Piazza dei Priori with the Palazzo dei Priori its main building. The 13th century palazzo shares many characteristics with the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, not least of which is its tower which you can climb to get the very best views of Volterra. Other Renaissance gems include the Baptistery and the Cathedral opposite which backs on to Piazza dei Priori. 

​For a complete visit to Volterra you need at least a full day as there are a series of fascinating museums to discover. Among the museums are the Museo Diocesano di Arte Sacro, the Pinacoteca e Museo Civico and the Etruscan museum - Museo Etrusco Guarnacci. Also keep an eye out for the Renaissance Palazzo Incontri-Viti with its frescoed rooms. Throughout Volterra there are nods to ancient history with an Etruscan Arch and a 1st century BC Roman Theatre among the most interesting archaeological sites.

Aside from its traditional and historic qualities, Volterra has a modern claim to fame which in recent years has attracted a whole new breed of visitor. The Twilight novels and subsequent films have Volterra as the residence of the fictional "Volturi" vampires and as such, the city plays a central role throughout the saga. The sense of romance and intrigue found in some of Volterra's ancient streets lend themselves perfectly to the saga's atmosphere. 

By far the best way to visit Volterra is by car; it's just over an hour's drive from either Pisa or Siena while Tuscany's capital, Florence is around an hour and a half away. If you don't have a car then you can reach Volterra by bus from the town of Colle di Val d'Elsa (45 minutes) or from Pisa in an hour. Train is the least convenient option here with the nearest train station (Saline di Volterra) some nine kilometres away from the centre but nevertheless reachable by bus in around 20 minutes. 

​Category: Hill Towns of Tuscany

Administrative area: Pisa Province

Population: 10,159

Elevation: 531 metres

Close by: Val di Cecina, San Gimignano, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Certaldo

Recommended accommodation: Hotel La Locanda


HOME

THINGS TO SEE IN TUSCANY

TRAVEL

TUSCANY HOTELS

TUSCANY

Tuscany Review is part of the Italy Review network of websites, aimed at making life easier for English-speaking people travelling throughout Italy.
For advice on other locations in Italy please visit my websites below:
Capri Island Review
Procida Review
Ischia Review
Veneto Review
Sorrento Review
Abruzzo Review
Amalfi Coast Review
Basilicata Review

Picture

​All photos and images on the site that are marked with the © copyright symbol or with the Tuscany Review logo are the property of Tuscany Review and must not be used elsewhere without prior permission. All written content on the website is the property of Tuscany Review and its use is strictly limited to this website alone. 
  • Home
    • Contact
    • The Italy Review Network >
      • Italy Review
      • City Guides >
        • Florence Review
        • Milan Review
        • Naples Review
        • Pisa Review
        • Roma Review
        • Turin Review
        • Venice Review
        • Verona Review
      • Region Guides >
        • Northern Italy >
          • Emilia Romagna Review
          • Friuli Venezia Giulia Review
          • Liguria Review
          • Lombardy Review
          • Piemonte Review
          • Trentino Review
          • Valle d'Aosta Review
          • Veneto Review
        • Central Italy >
          • Abruzzo Review
          • Lazio Review
          • Marche Review
          • Molise Review
          • Umbria Review
        • Southern Italy >
          • Amalfi Coast Review
          • Basilicata Review
          • Calabria Review
          • Campania Review
          • Puglia Review
          • Sorrento Review
      • Island Guides >
        • Capri Island Review
        • Elba Review
        • Ischia Review
        • Ponza Review
        • Procida Review
        • Sardinia Review
        • Sicily Review
  • Things to see in Tuscany
    • Cities of Tuscany >
      • Florence
      • Pisa
      • Siena
      • Lucca
      • Arezzo
      • Prato
      • Pistoia
      • Livorno
      • Grosseto
      • Massa
      • Carrara
    • Scenic Towns of Tuscany >
      • Hill Towns of Tuscany >
        • San Gimignano
        • Pienza
        • Volterra
        • Montepulciano
        • Cortona
        • Montalcino
        • Monterchi
        • Monteriggioni
        • Massa Marittima
        • San Miniato
        • Fiesole
        • Roccatederighi
      • Seaside Towns in Tuscany >
        • Viareggio
        • Castiglione della Pescaia
        • Forte dei Marmi
        • Porto Santo Stefano
        • Porto Ercole
        • Orbetello
        • Rosignano Marittimo
        • San Vincenzo
        • Follonica
      • Orange Flag Towns of Tuscany >
        • Pitigliano
        • Chiusi
        • Santa Fiora Amiata
        • Casciana Terme
        • Lari
        • Sarteano
        • Certaldo
        • Castiglion Fiorentino
        • Trequanda
        • Radicofani
        • Peccioli
        • Casale Marittimo
        • Barberino Val d'Elsa
        • Cutigliano
        • Casole d'Elsa
      • Tuscany's Borghi Piu Belli d'Italia >
        • Giglio Castello
        • Sovana
        • San Casciano dei Bagni
        • Castiglione di Garfagnana
        • Coreglia Antelminelli
        • Lucignano
        • Poppi
        • Castelfranco Piandisco
        • Suvereto
        • Buonconvento
        • Montescudaio
        • Scarperia
        • Anghiari
        • Montemerano
        • Barga
        • Loro Ciuffenna
      • Historic Towns of Tuscany >
        • Vinci
        • Pietrasanta
        • Colle di Val d'Elsa
        • Pontremoli
        • Asciano
        • Sorano
        • Bagni di Lucca
        • Reggello
        • Chianciano Terme
        • Sansepolcro
        • Pomarance
        • Borgo San Lorenzo
        • Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
        • San Quirico d'Orcia
      • Pretty Villages of Tuscany >
        • Lajatico
        • Borgo a Mozzano
        • Ponzanello
        • Panzano in Chianti
        • Castiglione d'Orcia
        • Mammiano
        • Montemassi
        • Prata
      • Vineyard Towns of Tuscany >
        • Greve in Chianti
        • Bolgheri
        • Radda in Chianti
        • Carmignano
    • Beach Resorts of Tuscany >
      • Castiglioncello
      • Lido di Camaiore
      • Marina di Cecina
      • Marina di Pietrasanta
      • Marina di Pisa
      • Talamone
      • Marina di Bibbona
      • Baratti
      • Punta Ala
      • Marina di Massa
      • Tirrenia
      • Quercianella
      • Marina di Carrara
    • Beaches of Tuscany >
      • Cala delle Caldane Beach
      • Cala delle Cannelle Beach
      • Cala Spalmatoio
      • Cala del Leone
      • Arenella Beach
      • Campese Beach
      • Spiagge Bianche
      • Le Rocchette
      • Ansedonia
    • Religious Sites of Tuscany >
      • Abbey of Sant'Antimo
      • La Verna
      • Abbey of San Galgano
      • Vallombrosa Abbey
      • Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore
      • San Vivaldo
      • Certosa di Pontignano
    • The Tuscan Archipelago (Arcipelago Toscano) >
      • Elba
      • Giglio
      • Capraia
      • Pianosa
      • Giannutri
      • Montecristo
      • Gorgona
    • Parks & Nature Reserves of Tuscany >
      • Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park
      • Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona & Campigna National Park
      • Migliarino San Rossore Nature Park
      • Parco di Pratolino
      • Calafuria Nature Reserve
    • Landmarks of Tuscany >
      • Ponte della Maddalena
      • Lake Bilancino
      • Lake Santa Luce
      • Monte Amiata
    • Natural Spas of Tuscany >
      • Saturnia
      • Bagno Vignoni
      • Bagni San Filippo
    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Tuscany >
      • Medici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany >
        • Medici Villa La Ferdinanda - Artimino
        • Medici Villa Poggio a Caiano
    • Ski Resorts of Tuscany >
      • Abetone
  • Travel
    • Tuscany Airports >
      • Pisa Airport
      • Florence Airport
    • Sea Ports of Tuscany >
      • Piombino
      • Giglio Porto
  • Tuscany Hotels
  • Tuscany
    • Provinces of Tuscany >
      • Metropolitan City of Florence
      • Arezzo Province
      • Grosseto Province
      • Livorno Province
      • Lucca Province
      • Massa & Carrara Province
      • Pisa Province
      • Pistoia Province
      • Prato Province
      • Siena Province
    • Mountain & Valley Regions of Tuscany >
      • Val d'Orcia
      • Chianti
      • Maremma
      • Casentino
      • Garfagnana
      • Mugello
      • Alpi Apuane Regional Park
      • Val d'Elsa
      • Monte Argentario
      • Crete Senesi
      • Monti dell'Uccellina
      • Val di Cecina
      • Valdichiana
    • Versilia