Volterra is one of the few art cities whose monuments can bear testimony to some 3000 years of history.
We are pleased to give our guests the opportunity to visit the three city museums with the same ticket all year round (except on Christmas and New Year's Day).
Volterra, a jewel of Etruscan, Roman, Medieval and Renaissance art, domi nates the whole valley of the river Cecina from its birth to the Thyrrenian sea, from a hill 550 m above sea level.
History has left its marks in Volterra from the Etruscan period to the 19th century with artistic and monumental traces of great importance. The tourist can admire them simply strolling on the streets of the historic centre or visiting the three city museums: the Etruscan Museum, the City Art Gallery and the Museum of Sacred Art. Besides the cultural aspect Volterra's charm is due to the uncontaminated landscape, a way of life still moulded on a human scale, and an artistic handicraft unique in the world: the manufacture of Alabaster.
Volterra is a town to live intensely, to discover little by little with its atmosphere, its contrasts, the pulse of a civilisation and a culture that makes it unique and unrepeatable.
Volterra is the ideal destination for a holiday in Tuscany, one of the most unpolluted areas in the region, close to the sea and to all other art cities.
Guarnacci Etruscan Museum
The suggestive modernity of the elongated shape of the 'Ombra della sera', or the disquieting expression on the faces of the ageing couple portrayed on the 'Urna degli sposi' are reason enough to visit the Guarnacci Museum. The Etruscan collection is the most important, to which have been added a Prehistoric and a Roman section. The Museum exhibits more than 600 cinerary urns carved in alabaster and tufa or moulded in terracotta, as well as a rich collection of coins, ceramics, jewellery, sculptures, utensils, idols and small bronzes. An impressive exhibition that testifies to the importance of Volterra, the ancient Velathri, in the Etruscan period of its millenary culture.
Art Gallery And Civic Museum
Since 1982 the Art Gallery is housed in the Palazzo Minucci-Solaini, a remarkable example of late 15th century architecture.
Since 1982 the Art Gallery is housed in the Palazzo Minucci-Solaini, a remarkable example of late 15th century architecture. The Deposition by Rosso Fiorentino alone, the most significant work from the collection, is worth a visit. Other important works in the collection are the polyptychs by Taddeo di Bartolo and by Cenni di Francesco, the Pietà by Francesco Neri da Volterra, two wooden sculptures by Francesco Valdambrino, an altar piece with Christ in Glory by Domenico Ghirlandaio, the Sacred Conversation and the Annunciation by Luca Signorelli. There is also a remarkable collection of medieval sculptures and ceramics, of medals and coins.
Museum Of Sacred Art
The exhibition presents works of art from the Cathedral and other churches of the diocese: paintings, sculptures, sacred vestments and cult objects. The seven rectangular marble pieces of the 14th century , illustrating in relief episodes from the lifes of Saints Vittore and Ottaviano are of great interest . Among the paintings , the altar piece from Ulignano by Daniele Ricciarelli, and the altar piece from Villamagna by Rosso Fiorentino are noteworthy.
Cultural Events
The cultural events are held mainly during the summer. The most inviting are Volterra Theatre, in July, the concerts of classical and modern music, and a Festival of Choral Groups. Among the folkloristic events, a special mention goes to the Astiludio, a historic revival of flag-waver's competition in Volterra, and the Palio delle Contrade, the town district tournament in Pomarance. These events, together with many art exhibitions, assure a culturally stimulating holiday.
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