Etruscan and Roman Sites at Volterra

Volterra was an important Etruscan centre, known as Velathri to the Etruscans. Situated on a Pliocene ridge 541m above sea level, it was a settlement since neolithic times and was then colonised by the Etruscan Velathri tribe during the 8th century BC, while the city wall (7km long) was built in the fourth century BC. The main industry there was based on copper and silver mining, as well as agriculture. It became one of the 12 important Etruscan city states but in the third century BC came under Roman control after the battle of Vadimone in 283 BC. During the 80s BC, the town now known as Volaterrae by the Romans supported Marius during the civil war between Marius and Sulla. After Marius's defeat the dictator Sulla inflicted a two-year siege on Volaterrae, after which the city was sacked. One of the town's important families, the Caecinae, were on good terms with Cicero, who persuaded Sulla to drop his sanctions on the city. An impressive Augustan-era amphitheatre, some fourth century AD baths as well as an Etruscan acropolis, are some of the important heritage sites in Volterra. The town continued to flourish during Medieval and Renaissance times, although it was involved in the Guelph and the Ghibelline wars of the 14th century. Today the town is home to the Etruscan Guarnacci Museum, the Guarnacci Library, The Art Gallery and Civic Museum, The Sacred Art Gallery, as well as historical archives.

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