Volterra between Etruscan History and the Berignone Forest

Volterra combines Etruscan, Roman and medieval traces with a landscape in the Alta Val di Cecina. The Etruscan Acropolis in Piano di Castello, the Roman Theatre in the archaeological area of Vallebuona and the Berignone Forest each focus on different aspects: here, overlapping settlement history; there, a building from the Augustan period; and, in addition, forest and macchia.

Cultural History Across Several Periods

At the Etruscan Acropolis in Piano di Castello, Volterra preserves archaeological layers that make it possible to trace the city’s origins and development from prehistoric times to the 15th century. The visible foundations of two buildings identified as Temples A and B are separated by an intertemplar street. There are also remains of Hellenistic houses, a cistern system including the so-called Piscina, medieval tower structures and streets built over older foundations. In the archaeological area of Vallebuona, the Roman Theatre dates from the Augustan period.

Museums, Palaces and Alabaster

The Museo Etrusco Guarnacci in Volterra is one of the oldest public museums in Europe and preserves one of the world’s most important collections of Etruscan antiquities. The Museo Diocesano d’Arte Sacra is located in the church of Sant’Agostino. It mainly displays works from Volterra Cathedral and other city churches, including paintings and liturgical objects such as reliquaries and furnishings. At the same time, it presents architectural fragments, works of art and liturgical objects connected with the development of the appearance of Volterra Cathedral over the centuries. The Pinacoteca di Volterra has been housed in the Renaissance palace Palazzo Minucci Solaini since 1982. Construction of the Palazzo dei Priori began in the first years of the 13th century, based on a design by the master builder Riccardo da Como, and was completed in 1257. The council chamber contains a fresco of the Annunciation to Saints Giusto, Ottaviano, Cosma and Damiano, painted in 1383 by Iacopo di Cione Orcagna. The Ecomuseo dell’Alabastro traces the journey of alabaster from extraction in the quarry through processing to trade.

Forest Landscape in the Alta Val di Cecina

The Foresta di Berignone nature reserve is part of the somewhat larger Berignone Forest in the Alta Val di Cecina; it extends between the municipalities of Volterra and Pomarance across more than 2,000 hectares of forest and macchia. The Berignone Forest has well-maintained paths that allow visitors to explore the forest safely and provide information about forest life through educational panels.

Volterra for Your Trip Planning

The Volterra Card is valid for 72 hours. When choosing a hotel or other accommodation in Volterra, you can therefore consider whether your focus is on historic sites and museums, alabaster, or combining these with forest and nature.

Discover More Places

Pignano, Prato D'era, Saline, Mazzolla, Villamagna

To the overarching travel overview: Pisa.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Peccioli, Cenaia, San Miniato.

More Destinations in Volterra

More places for trip planning:

Prato D'era.