From the outside, the unadorned, earthy-colored stone façade of the Duomo di Volterra does not predict the exceptional interior you will find as you walk through its doors. Illuminated by natural light and filled with colorful paintings, it is truly a sight to remember. Tour the artwork on your own. Get a picture of the Romanesque exterior built from materials recovered from the Roman theater of Volterra.
The duomo sits in the heart of the wonderfully provincial Tuscan town of Volterra. The cathedral is one of the main architectural wonders in Volterra, on a par with better-known churches scattered throughout Tuscany and the Italian countryside. Dating back to the 12th century, it is also older, though smaller, than the Duomo di Florence. Appreciate the important role this church has served for centuries of communities of Italian rural villagers, who still maintain an active bishop’s seat here.
Peruse the artworks on the walls and ceilings of the cathedral. The inlaid wood at the door is attributed to the sculptor Nicola Pisano. Inside are artworks from famous Italian artists. The religious symbolism and artistic representations of Catholic narrative provide a wonderful occasion to reflect and be alone with your thoughts. The grand marble nave and walls lining the main building’s interior make this a cool place to relax and avoid the hot Tuscan sun.
Avoid wearing clothes that expose too much skin, as you should while visiting any Italian cathedral. Visitors may be refused entrance if they don’t dress conservatively enough. The residents of Volterra are kind and are willing to answer your questions, especially if you know a few words of Italian.
Drive 90 minutes southwest of Florence to reach Volterra. You can also take two buses from Florence with a stop on the way if you don’t feel like driving. Although the bus route may seem less simple, it may be worth having the opportunity to take your eyes off the road and focus on the exquisite scenery on the journey to Duomo di Volterra.
