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Volterra
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The city, renowned for quarrying and working alabaster, has an impressive historic centre of Etruscan origin. |
Velathri was one of the twelve most important cities in the Etruscan confederation, and in the second half of the 6th century B.C. it began extending its defensive walls from the acropolis to enclose a circumference of about 1800 metres, practically all of the flat area under the top of the hill; the process was completed early in the 5th century B.C. The walls, most of which are still visible, were built in the late 4th century B.C. and measured 7300 metres long.
The Romanesque cathedral of Volterra was built in stages in the 12th and 13th centuries. The interior includes late Renaissance elements and was restored in the 19th century. The bell tower to one side of the façade is an elegant 15th century construction. Across from the cathedral is the Baptistery of San Giovanni; built in the second half of the 13th century, it has an octagonal floor plan with walls decorated in the classic two-colour style of white and green marble typical of Romanesque constructions and topped by a dome.
The Roman theatre was found in the 1950s during an archaeological dig conducted in the Vallebuona area. The monument dates back to the late first century B.C., and its construction was financed by the wealthy local Caecina family. The theatre was partially dug out of the natural slope of a hill, like ancient Greek theatres.
Palio del cero
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An event inspired by the many civil and religious traditions of medieval Volterra, in which the presence of wax and candles played an important role: every year each district in the city donated a certain amount of wax to the various churches in the town. Until the 16th century the “corsa dei ceri” was held, in which different city districts competed in working and bring to the finish line wooden machines on the summit of which was a candle in home to the saints. This tradition is related to that of the “Tiro del Cero”, a sort of tug-of-war contest in which the eight teams representing the eight districts of the city still compete. The event opens with a series of preparatory ceremonies, including the “weighing of the salt” and the “blessing of the ropes”, all in the presence of Volterra’s famous flag-bearers. |
Quo Vadis Volterra
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An evocative re-enaction of an ancient Roman army marching through the streets of Volterra, with all the colours and atmospheres of Roman days. Everyday life in ancient Roman is re-enacted near the Roman Theatre with an instructional exhibition of various objects Romans used every day, including board games, wooden dolls, etc. Exhibition areas illustrate food in ancient Rome – an exhibition with an explanation and samples of foods from Roman times, a part about mosaics and frescoes made with natural pigments, weavers and looms with explanation of the various phases involved in making wool, etc. |
European Festival of the Via Francigena
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The European Festival of the Via Francigena in Volterra begins in the morning with “Cammina Città”, an urban trekking itinerary in discovery of Etruscan, Roman and medieval Volterra and the most significant historic spots in the town. The event includes the participation of historic groups from the city in the Torneo di Tiro, a crossbow competition between archers from Volterra and Massa Marittima. At the end of the competition the Luminaria is held, a procession of the contrade or districts of Volterra through the city streets to Piazza dei Priori, where the event closes with historical performances re-enacting the days of ancient Rome. |
Ut armentum ballistari
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UT ARMENTUR BALISTARI is a crossbow tournament recreated on the basis of a historic 14th century tradition of the city of Volterra, when the various districts and castles of the city had the honour and duty of putting their best archers at the service of the city, adding to the ranks of the Company of Crossbowmen, the militia that had the honour of defending the city walls. |
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