Tuesday, Exploring Volterra
Tuesday was the day we set aside to explore the town of Volterra.
This is the entrance we took into the town of Volterra, the Porta Fiorentina.
Here is a sculpture that you pass when you walk up toward the
town gate above.
I had to go back to the car to get mt camera bag, and I saw
the back of the sculpture at that time. Very strange.
This is a sign that was just outside the gate.
The next few photos show some of the side streets as we walked up Via Guarnacci from the Porta Fiorentina.
Piazzetta di San Michele
On the left is the Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo, the Church of Saint Archangel Michael. Straight ahead is Casa Torre Toscano, Tuscan House Tower.
Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo
Casa Torre Toscano
This is a photo of the detail on the front of the Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo. The statue in the lunette above the door is a copy of the original marble statue of the Madonna and child. The coat of arms is of the Farnese family and is on the 13th century Romanesque facade.
This is a photo of the front of the Casa Torre Toscano. You can see a door at street level. This door would have given entrance to the ground level of the tower, but nothing else. The actual living quarters of the tower would have been at the next level up, and higher. See the narrow door above the street level door? You can see another one in the photo above with the church square. Those would have been the entrances to the living quarters. A ladder would have been used to gain entrance. The door is narrow enough to prevent enemies to enter wearing armor.
More views in the town of Volterra.
Karen in a shop in Volterra.
Via Matteotti
Looking down a narrow street toward the Palazzo dei Priori
Piazza dei Priori
The Palazzo dei Priori (1208-54), now the Town Hall — the oldest in Tuscany.
The Savings Bank of Volterra, in the Piazza dei Priori.
Another view of the Palazzo dei Priori.
The other side of the Piazza dei Priori.
Below are photos of the Marzocco, the heraldic lion of Florence, which are on columns on each end of the Palazzo dei Priori. At certain times in history Florence has ruled Volterra.
The entrance to the Palazzo dei Priori.
The doorway inside the foyer of the Palazzo dei Priori leading to the stairs.
Below are photos taken inside the Palazzo dei Priori.
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