Idea #644 – Visiting the historic city of Volterra in Tuscany
Located in the province of Pisa, the municipality of Volterra is located on the plateau of the same name, at an altitude of 550m. It is surrounded to the north by the Era river and by the Cecina valley to the southwest.
In Roman times, Volterra was a municipium and became the episcopal seat from the 5th century. From the middle of the 12th century, Volterra emancipated itself from the authority of the bishops to form an independent municipality. In 1253, the Popolo regime replaced the old aristocratic republic. The urban bourgeoisie then seizes power. In 1274, the city integrates the Guelph League of Tuscany, becoming the ally of Florence and the adversary of the Republic of Pisa, its neighbor, which was a Ghibelline.
After a period during which the lordship of the Belforti family was exercised (1340-1361), Volterra fell under the tutelage of Florence. However, it retains a certain political autonomy. In 1429, a revolt led by the citizen Giusto Landini tries to undo the city of this tutelage, in vain. In 1472, Florentine troops besieged the city and sacked it. When the Florentine Republic fell in 1530, Volterra broke away from the power of the Medici family.
The medieval city is still visible in its architectural structure, perched on a hill, surrounded by ramparts and dominated by a fortress, which became a prison and then a penitentiary. The city retains an important historic center of Etruscan origin – the gate of the enclosure remains from this period – with Roman ruins, and medieval buildings such as the Cathedral and the Priori Palace in the main square of the same name.
Some Pictures
Where is it ?
Volterra, Pise, Toscane, Italie
