Volterra, in province of Pisa, is definitely one of the villages to visit, among the many in Italy. A visit to this hilly paradise, nestled between imposing walls, is a must. A place to leave you speechless, able to preserve traces of its Etruscan and Roman past over the centuries.
Hers is an ancient story, as the ancient walls clearly demonstrate. Their origins are rooted in Etruscan era but the realization lasted until the Middle Ages. Volterra is undoubtedly to be counted among the 12 most important centers from the XNUMXth to the XNUMXth century BC, and here is everything you need to know before embarking on a visit.
Volterra, short history
Volterra is one of the most important villages that the Toscana has to offer. It stands on a hill that has hosted human settlements sinceiron age. An element certainly not secondary, considering the presence of the Villanovan necropolis.
It was one of the most important city-states of the Etruscan era and retains a historic center dating back to that time. The crucial elements of that glorious past are today the Porta Diana, the Acropolis, the Porta dell'Arco and most of the walls. To this are added different hypogea and, although of different epochs, of great importance are also different medieval buildings. Just think of the following:
- Palazzo dei Priori
- Medici Fortress
- Cathedral
The traditions
There is certainly no shortage of well-rooted traditions in Volterra. The June 2 takes place on Palio of the candle, which sees the village divided into eight districts, all placed one against the other. In August, however, space for a medieval re-enactment with dream clothes, known as Volterra AD 1398. After the summer phase, however, off to the race of the Caci Volterrani, scheduled for the last Sunday of October. All this happens, also in this case, in medieval clothes. Thealabaster art. Present in large quantities in open-air galleries or quarries, this precious natural element dates back to about 7 million years ago. It is surprising to discover how each quarry holds a different type. A concentrate of absolute value. The most important in Europe, according to many experts. Processing is a practice that has been handed down from father to son for generations. The objects created are real works of art. Buying them means having with you unique elements, certainly not mass-produced, different from each other.
Myths and legends
Such an ancient town cannot help but live on myths and legends. There is no shortage of them, of course. The thought immediately goes to witches of Volterra. It seems that the first one found a home here witch of which we have historical memory. Her name was aradia, daughter of the Goddess Diana. Legend has it that his arrival was dictated by the need to educate humans in the magical arts, considering their poverty. A new Aradia was born on 13 August 1313, condemned and imprisoned by the Church. On the day of his execution, however, the cell was found empty. A vast tradition of witches, the most powerful in Italy. They used to meet every Saturday near the Mandringa boulder.
In the XNUMXs Volterra also welcomed other types of supernatural beings: vampires. The reason is quickly explained. Stephenie Meyer has decided to set some scenes from her literary saga, “Twilight”, in the city. Global resonance, however, came with the film franchise, which conducted a Hollywood production in the city, starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.
What to see in Volterra
The first piece of advice to give to anyone who decides to visit Volterra is to get lost in its streets, holding your head up and admiring its architectural features. Every place on the edge exudes history. To visit there is certainly the Etruscan Museum, the Guarnacci, inside which an ancient archaeological find is preserved. It is a sculpture, known as The Shadow of the Evening. It was D'Annunzio who gave it this name, seeing in it the effect of the shadows at sunset. Its origins are Etruscan, needless to say, dating back to more than 2300 years ago.
Bewitching the remains of Roman Theatre, dating back to the XNUMXst century. Priori Palace, on the other hand, it dominates the historic center, representing one of its key elements. Impossible not to visit the Duomofinally, with the annexed Baptistery of San Giovanni. The first seems to have been built on the remains of a XNUMXth century church. The second, on the other hand, boasts a splendid Romanesque portal and some works of great value, such as The Ascension by Nicolò Cergignani.
