Piazza dei Priori – medieval masterpiece

A charming road winds its way uphill from the Etruscan Archway, the Porta all’Arco, to the Piazza dei Priori, the town’s set-piece square. The Piazza dei Priori is proof of Volterra’s rich medieval heritage, with its cluster of noble palaces. The square is dominated by the lofty Palazzo dei Priori (1208), the oldest town hall in Tuscany and supposedly the model for Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio. Even if the clock tower and crenellations were remodelled at a later date, the overall impression is of a typical Tuscan town hall. On a fine day consider climbing to the top of the belltower for urban views. Across the square stands the 13th-century Palazzo Pretorio, with its crenellated Torre del Porcellino (Tower of the Lit¬tle Pig), named after its dec¬o-ra¬tive relief of a boar.
On the square, call into the tourist office to pick up a map, buy a city pass, known as the Volterra Card. You can also book a Volterra audio-guide or book a walking tour.

Address: Volterra tourist office: Piazza dei Priori 29, Volterra
Web: www.volterratur.it