Perched on one of Tuscany’s highest hills, between the Cecina and Era valleys, Volterra is a stunning multifaceted town with an air of mystery (maybe this is what makes it so fascinating).

Its Etruscan origins are confirmed by the 7-km-long wall running around the entire hilltop ridge that enclosed the settlement in ancient times, a settlement that has since been swallowed up by the slow inexorable erosion of the ground but which has left us a huge number of finds dating to that extremely distant past (mainly uncovered near “Le Balze”, or cliff area).

Volterra is a city that has a lot to offer with its many palaces, churches and museums; it is also famous for its alabaster work.

Interesting titbit: L’Ombra della Sera (Evening Shadow): Among the various archaeological finds housed in the Museo Guicciardini is a small Etruscan statuette barely 50 centimetres tall which seems to cast its protective shadow over the entire Volterra area and beyond; in fact, in Florence, opposite the Baptistery, the Ombra della Sera has been transformed into a jewel.

A series of necklaces and earrings have been inspired by this magical Etruscan amulet.