Volterra
An Etruscan cliff-top hill town and home of alabaster craftsmanship, with Roman theatre ruins and a medieval square.
Perched on a ridge about 530 metres above sea level, about 75 km from Florence and roughly 30 km from San Gimignano, it is good for a day trip together with the latter. Highlights include the Etruscan Arch, the ruins of the Roman theatre, the medieval Piazza dei Priori with its town hall, and the Guarnacci Etruscan Museum, home to the slender bronze figure Ombra della Sera (Shadow of the Evening). The town is full of alabaster workshops where you can buy handmade pieces. It has drawn attention from young visitors because it served as a filming setting for the Twilight films. Public transport requires transfers, so driving is the most convenient option.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- San Gimignano
- Monteriggioni
- Vinci
- Medici Villa of Poggio a Caiano
- Chianti Wine Region
- Siena
- Santa Maria del Carmine (Brancacci Chapel)
- Palazzo Pitti & Boboli Gardens