Scenes around Volterra

Monday, May 09 - The rest of Volterra before heading back to the Borgo

La Chiesa di San Guisto in Volterra

After making it back to the Piazza dei Priori, we hiked around looking for the remains of the Roman theater and baths, also stopping to see the Bapistry and the front of the Cattedrale.  I wanted to see Le Balze – a steep escarpment on the northwest side of the town, and we went on a bit of a wild goose chase drive to try to find it.  We eventually did, after stopping at the Chiesa San Guiso and a camping ground.  We eventually drove down the “hill” from Volterra on the north side and found a very small provincial road that took us back to the state road and eventually to our Borgo.  We returned around 4 PM and had time to relax before “happy hour” started at the restaurant.

Volterra's Roman baths and theater ruins - from the time of Christ, with seating for about 2000 people

A view of the north side of Volterra with Le Balze - a steep escarpment of tufa rock which is eroding away 

Le Balze keeps eroding, taking houses, Etruscan ruins, and even an Abbey down into the abyss

Finally, back to our Borgo to enjoy the evening and rest our weary feet - about 7 miles of walking today.

Large tufa hill near Volterra

The Borgo Pignano at the top of the hill on the right of the frame

Reception area, near the Cortile of the Borgo