Volterra was know to the Etruscans as Velathri. The Romans called it Volaterre. It is believed to have been inhabited from at least the 8th century BC.
We have visited Volterra before and you can see the post here. It is worth going back to look at the post just to see the clever tree. The town is well worth several visits.
The drive to Volterra from Bagni di Lucca is lovely. We wound our way along narrow roads through the beautiful Tuscan hills. The fields were being ploughed and planted for the next season’s crops. Even on a dull day everything looked delightful.
The town has the usual gorgeous rooftops.
The ruins of the Roman amphitheatre are very impressive.
The Duomo S Maria Assunta has some very beautiful art.
The lovely park at the top of the town offers a great view of Rocca Nuova. On our last visit we were unaware that it is an operating prison. In this photo you can see the guard tower.
There are more ruins beside the park, but they were closed when we were there. I took this photo through the fence.
Being fairly unadventurous we went to the same restaurant as last time, Ristorante del Duca, and had another great lunch.
Volterra has some excellent shops. Etruscan style jewellery and alabaster products are well represented. It would be easy to spend many hours browsing in this lovely Tuscan town.
The photos are gorgeous.
By: ranu802 on November 25, 2013
at 6:35 pm
Volterra is a wonderful town to visit. I will be back.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 26, 2013
at 3:45 pm
There is an interesting restaurant run by the inmates of the prison http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortezza_Medicea_restaurant
Not to keen on the plastic cutlery, though, but worth a try… at least it is original.
By: mulino dominillo on November 25, 2013
at 6:43 pm
Sounds like the go for next time.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 26, 2013
at 3:46 pm
I must return to Volterra. I last time I was there, I had broken my foot and was in a cast up to my knee and walking with crutches. Needless to say, I didn’t see much. 🙂
By: Karen on November 25, 2013
at 6:52 pm
You definitely have to go back.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 26, 2013
at 3:46 pm
Many years ago, I went to Italy with friends and we were camping….th nearest campsite was not good, so we moved further away, and as a result never saw Volterra…. Another place to add to my list!
By: suej on November 25, 2013
at 7:10 pm
Volterra is very interesting. We have been a few times now, and find something new each time.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 26, 2013
at 3:47 pm
nice city 🙂
By: VisitSiena on November 25, 2013
at 7:33 pm
It is not far from Siena…and easy trip.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 26, 2013
at 3:48 pm
Great post, love the pics
By: thebigbookofdating on November 25, 2013
at 7:44 pm
Thank you,Volterra is very photogenic.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 26, 2013
at 3:49 pm
Fabulous photos.Such an interesting place. Thanks Deb
By: Dianne Cant on November 25, 2013
at 7:49 pm
We always spend a day in Volterra as part of our summer holiday. I took my children plus two of their friends there in 2010. At the time, Volterra was gaining in popularity with a new, young generation, due to its use as part of the setting for one of the Twilight films.
I’ve been trying to tie in a visit to Volterra with a visit to the springs at Saturnia (one of your earlier posts), and of course Volterra is close to San Gimignano – both are beautiful. The drive from Bagni is as you rightly point out a wonderful one. It usually takes us about 2 hours to drive to Volterra.
I would’nt mind if it took four hours, the views are sublime.
By: Anonymous on November 25, 2013
at 10:10 pm
It took us about 2 hours as well, and it is beautiful all the way.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 26, 2013
at 3:51 pm
I’ve been wanting to visit Volterra for a long time. Last trip it was Tarquinia, next time Volterra, senz’altro! Gorgeous photos you took.
By: mbrovelli on November 26, 2013
at 2:12 am
Tarquinia is interesting too…must go back.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 26, 2013
at 3:52 pm
A place i have yet to see, and it seems to be it would be a place I would love. How long of a drive was it for you?
By: aFrankAngle on November 26, 2013
at 3:28 am
It took about 2 hours from Bagni di Lucca. If you took a couple of bigger roads at the beginning it could be a bit quicker, but the back roads are very beautiful.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 26, 2013
at 3:53 pm
Thanks for the info!
By: aFrankAngle on November 26, 2013
at 9:59 pm
What a fascinating town to visit! I’d love to go there one day 🙂
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on November 26, 2013
at 6:05 am
You won’t be disappointed.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 26, 2013
at 3:54 pm
Volterra is also great for its mediaeval week-ends. See my post at http://longoio.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/mediaeval-madness/
By: Francis on November 26, 2013
at 6:33 am
Thank you for the extra information.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 26, 2013
at 3:55 pm
And then there’s the superb Etruscan museum too, Debra. We have friends who live near Volterra – time we paid them another visit. Thanks for reminding us.
By: Richard Tulloch on November 26, 2013
at 8:13 am
I promise to visit the Etruscan museum next time.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 26, 2013
at 3:56 pm
I have some very fond memories of Volterra, your posts always make me pine for Italy!
By: Where's Wiwi? on November 27, 2013
at 11:40 am
Truly fascinating. I haven’t been there yet. No excuses!
By: Catherine on November 27, 2013
at 7:00 pm
another fascinating place to visit and what an incredible prison. x
By: lisa chiodo (@RenovatingItaly) on December 9, 2013
at 6:29 pm
By the way did you know your page is ‘snowing’ lol x
By: lisa chiodo (@RenovatingItaly) on December 9, 2013
at 6:31 pm
[…] Volterra is an Etruscan town with a fine set of Roman ruins. It is not as busy as nearby San Gimignano and Siena, but is well worth a visit. We have been a few times and always find something interesting to see. […]
By: Places to go | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on January 20, 2014
at 9:53 pm