Volterra

Volterra, we nipped in here en route from Lucca to Pienza - I forgot this when doing the last blog, but of course found the photos today!!! It is a fortress like town, sitting on a plateau rising a precipitous 1800 ft above the valley below.

The entrance to the city is dominated by a Medicean castle,

now used as a prison.

The attractive main square of Volterra has some of the oldest Civic buildings in Tuscany

dating from 13th century.

Palazzo del Priori

We saw this incredible "busker"

playing a "violin" type sound on his wood "saw".

Typical of Tuscany - small lanes with charming cafes

and large churches

This Roman Theatre below started in the first century BC

This ancient complex comprises both the Roman Theatre and the Acropolis,

Etruscan tombs and Roman Baths (4th century)

Volterra is famous for its alabaster carvings, loads of galleries selling it.

The views from the old town of Volterra

across the surrounding valleys

are outstanding.