|
The
cathedral and bell tower of Volterra
The
medicean fortress with the tower called
Maschio
A
typical alabaster workshop
Sculptures decorating an Etruscan
urn
|
The
Etruscan Volterra and
the alabaster tradition
Volterra
is a world famous perfectly preserved
medieval town. Yet, the medieval look
is a "recent" intervention
on top of one of Tuscany's most important
Etruscan settlements. Over the
centuries Velathri (as the
Etruscans called it) got important
also for the handicraft production
of an ancient stone given to the city
as a present by the sea… the
alabaster. Arianna & Friends
arrange private half-day tours to
Volterra and its treasures.
THE
PEARL AMONG THE ETRUSCAN TOWNS
We start
our tour directly in Volterra, where
you meet our English speaking local
city guide for a fascinating walk
around this magic town. While
passing along narrow winding lanes
into sumptuous monumental squares,
you will learn a great deal about
the very original habits and culture
of the Etruscans, a pre-roman
civilization that settled in Tuscany
as well as in most central Italy.
The tour includes an entrance to the
Etruscan Museum in Volterra,
where you can admire some fascinating
sculptures and see charming inscriptions
in their original right-to-left alphabet.
The historical introduction will go
through all the traces of the cultural
and artistic influences that followed
the Etruscans: the Roman theater
in a breathtaking panoramic side of
the town, the late medieval and early
Renaissance Piazza dei Priori,
the majestic Medicean Fortress,
raising right next to a charming and
relaxing park and nowadays hosting
a maximum security prison.
The walking tour Volterra is completed
by the visit to a traditional alabaster
workshop, where you can see how
the expert hands of the workers produce
a nice and elegant vase from a piece
of rough stone.
Before
you leave the guide, you will relax
at a renowned café in town
and taste some excellent chocolate,
locally produced.
Our
half-day tour to Volterra takes about
3 hours. Transportation to the
locations is not included.
If you
need collection with our chauffeured
car, van or minibus, please specify
this in the booking form.
|
