Voletrra in One Day
1. Visit Piazza dei Priori
Piazza dei Priori is the majestic, central square and historical heart of Volterra. It is dominated by the Palazzo dei Priori (1208), the oldest civic building in Tuscany, which inspired Florence's Palazzo Vecchio. It remains the political and social hub, surrounded by towers and palaces.
Address:
Piazza dei Priori, 56048 Volterra PI, Italy
2. Enter the Duomo and the Baptistery
Volterra's Duomo (Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral) and the adjacent Baptistery (Battistero di San Giovanni) stand as masterpieces of Tuscan Romanesque style. The Duomo is renowned for its gilded coffered ceiling and refined interior art. The Baptistery, known for its distinctive octagonal shape and green/white marble facade, is among the most beautiful in Tuscany.
Address:
Piazza S. Giovanni, 56048 Volterra PI, Italy
3. Visit the Museum of Torture
The Museum of Torture in Volterra offers a grim look into the history of human cruelty, displaying a vast collection of authentic instruments of torture from the medieval period to the 19th century. The museum is intended to educate on the dark side of history, highlighting tools and techniques used for interrogation and execution.
Address:
Piazza XX Settembre, 3, 56048 Volterra PI, Italy
4. Have lunch at Osteria La Pace Volterra
Osteria La Pace is a highly-rated, typical Volterra restaurant known for Tuscan warmth and delicious local cuisine. Dishes include homemade pasta like Pici al Cinghiale (wild boar sauce) and specialties like Tegamaccio degli Etruschi (stewed beef with plums and saffron).
Address:
Via Don Giovanni Minzoni, 55, 56048 Volterra PI, Italy
Wander among the Alabaster Shops
Volterra is globally famous for its ancient tradition of alabaster carving, a craft inherited from the Etruscans. The city's shops feature exquisite alabaster artworks, ranging from classical sculptures to modern jewelry and decorative items. These translucent, delicate items are Volterra's signature souvenir and artistic specialty.
Address:
Piazzetta della Pescheria, 56048 Volterra PI, Italy
Admire the magnificence of Palazzo Viti
One of the town’s most beautiful historic homes, where Luchino Visconti filmed a movie. Palazzo Viti is a magnificent 16th-century noble residence, bought and fully restored by the wealthy alabaster merchant Benedetto Giuseppe Viti in 1850. Now a house-museum, it showcases twelve preserved rooms with original 19th-century furnishings, paintings, oriental collections, and impressive alabaster works.
Address:
Via dei Sarti, 41, 56048 Volterra PI, Italy
Address: