Volterra is a town of great architectural interest located 1770 feet above the sea level, between the rivers Bra and Cecina. The ambience of Volterra is extremely attractive, easily rivalling that of the more famous Tuscan destination of San Gimignano. Our guided tour of Volterra starts from the heart of this charming medieval town - the spectacular Piazza dei Priori with the wonderful Palazzo dei Priori. We will wonder around the city’s Medieval streets and alleys, admire the Romanesque Cathedral, with its elegant bell tower and the Baptistery of San Giovanni, an octagonal structure dating back to the thirteenth century.
In Volterra you can see both Roman and Etruscan remains. At the highest point of Volterra is the Etruscan acropolis with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The archaeological site is part of a park that includes foundations of two Etruscan temples, dwellings from the Hellenistic period, a system of cisterns, and medieval tower ruins. Porta All' Arco, the Arch gate, has sides possibly dating back to the 5th century BC with the arch and heads dating from the 3rd to 2nd century BC. Etruscan tombs, carved into sandstone below the ground, can be found in several places. Let’s get a glimpse of the ancient Roman Amphitheatre and the remains of the Roman baths, dating back to the 4th century AD, before leaving Volterra.
