The museums of Volterra

Our tips for a holiday in farmhouse in Volterra in the Tuscan countryside of Pisa

The Guarnacci Etruscan Museum

The extroardinarily modern looking, elongated, bronze statuette Ombra della Sera (Shadow of the evening) and the disturbing expressions sculpted on the faces of the elderly figures lying on the Urn of the Married Couple are but two good reasons to visit the museum.

The collection is mostly Etruscan but there is also an interesting prehistoric and Roman section.The museum houses more than 600 cinerary urns in alabaster, tufa and terracotta, a rich collection of coins, ceramics, jewellery, sculptures, utensils, idols and bronze figures.

This impressive display offers an understanding of the eminence of ancient Velathri during the Etruscan period.

The Art Gallery

Since 1982 the Art Gallery has been housed in the Palazzo Minucci-Solaini, a splendid example of late 15th century architecture.

A part of this small but choice collection is the remarkable painting of The Deposition by Rosso Fiorentino, the polyptychs by Taddeo di Bartolo and Cenni di Francesco, The Pietà by Francesco Neri da Volterra, two polychrome wood sculptures by Francesco Valdambrino, Christ in Glory by Domenico Ghirlandaio, The Annunciation and Holy Conversation by Luca Signorelli and an interesting display of Medieval sculptures,ceramics and coins.

The Museum of Sacred Art

The paintings, sculptures, vestments and ecclesiatical items on display have been collected from the cathedral and the churches of the diocese. Of particular interest are the seven 14th century rectangular marble reliefs depicting episodes from the lives of Saints Vittore and Ottaviano, two splendid paintings, one from the church of Ulignano by Daniele Ricciarelli and the other from Villamagna by Rosso Fiorentino, a rare 16th century ciborium in alabaster and a fine collection of reliqueries