Volterra

Volterra

The bus connection here was a pain in the arse.. We were lucky our connecting bus waited a few minutes, or we would have to wait another 5 hours for the next bus. The bus ride up and down Volterra was shocking because it is so hilly. If you get car sick, this bus ride would be bad for you as it was for Michelle

The cliffs of Volterra inspired Dante's "cliff of hell".. if you have read his books.. We haven't. We tried, but it was to difficult to read.

Volterra is apparently the oldest of any Tuscan city-state.

The Volterra people have a cookie called Ossi di Morta = bones of the dead. Their first disco was names catacombs?!? Perfect setting for vampire novels and movies (ie. TWILIGHT)- I didn't quite retrace the footsteps of Edward and Bella down the alleyways

Familiar scene in New Moon?? Anyway.. This is the city hall. This building inspired the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence - looks the same to me

Roman Theatre

The Roman theatre would best be described as a ruin. It disappeared under a pile of Volterran rubbish until it was rediscovered 70 odd years ago.. The stage is only partly there. There were originally 3 levels for the actors to appear from but only a small part of 2 levels remain. It was a pretty cool spot to stand for a while and look over the mountains and ruins.

Porta all'Arco Etruscan Arch

This arch is one of the only surviving remains of the Etruscan empire (circa 1500BC). The Germans were going to blow it up to slow the allied troops back in WW2 but the locals stopped them by pulling up the road and filling the arch with stones so nobody could pass... I'm glad they did because it's absolutely stunning.

The view from Volterra

This is Volterran dish- Zuppa alla Volterrana- made of vegetables and bread. It is a soup. It's more like a thick vegggie stew. Great flavours though
We also tried a couple of local wines at the enoteca. A Chiant Classico and 2 types of Brunello di Montalcino (aged 4 years in oak!). The brunello's were both fantastic!

xoxo B&M