Volterra

Like many Etruscan cities, Volterra is situated on a high plateau, offering fine views over the surrounding hills. In many places the ancient Etruscan walls still survive. The famous Museo Guarnacci contains one of the best collections of Etruscan artefacts in Italy. Of special interest is the group of over 600 Etruscan cinerary urns, made from alabaster or terracotta, many of which were gathered from local tombs. The Palazzo dei Priori, the medieval seat of government on Piazza dei Priori, is the oldest of its kind in Tuscany. It was begun in 1208 and there are 14th-century frescoes inside. The Pisan-Romanesque Duomo, located on Piazza San Giovanni, has a fine 13th-century pulpit with sculptured panels. Volterra's excellent art gallery and museum, the Pinacoteca e Museo Civico, features works by Florentine artists. The city is famous for its craftsmen who carve elaborate white statues and objets d'art from locally mined alabaster.