Great interest is the island boat trip and excursion opportunities. The Lagoon is a lake of uncertain origin along the crest of Monte Castello, at an altitude of 321 meters (6 km from the town). Its size is variable depending on the season and in the spring there blooms aquatic vegetation including buttercups.

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The sea and the wonderful beaches, the plan thriving and fertile, the gentle hills, the charming towns and the beautiful mountains of gleaming white marble, fused together in a harmonious incomparable harmony, form one of the most attractive and exclusive districts of Italy , Versilia.

It covers an area of ​​about 165 square kilometers, the coast, sandy and shallow, extends for 20 km, and its mountains reach heights of 1800 m and beyond.

And 'bounded on the north by the mouth of Cinquale, east from the ridge of the Alps, south of Massaciucoli Lake and west by the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The territory is divided, for the Versilia, in the towns of Pietrasanta, Forte dei Marmi, Seravezza and Stazzema, while for the remainder, in the municipalities of Camaiore Camaiore and Viareggio. All of them belong administratively to the province of Lucca. The historical Versilia remained belonging to the Diocese of Pisa as opposed to Camaiore, Viareggio and Camaiore that are part of the Lucca

The territory is made fertile by a dense network of rivers and canals that cross it, the most important (which gives the area its name), was born from the confluence of the Serra and Vezza and flows into the sea near the Cinquale after a tortuous path of 15 km.

Along the coast, a few meters from the sea, you will find countless pine forests that stretch for miles. Perhaps the most famous, the Versiliana park (80 hectares) is located in Marina di Pietrasanta and was made famous by some poems of the poet bard G. D'Annunzio, who stayed there and was inspired.

In the pinewoods, in general, focus many recreational activities: horseback riding, golf, tennis, cycling, rides, picnic areas, etc. ..

Pietrasanta, located about 3 km away. from the sea, is historically the capital city of the Versilia.

Known as "Little Athens" because of artistic and cultural riches, is made even more interesting by the district that is ideal for excursions full of history and charm.

The village riparian (Marina di Pietrasanta) divided between Fiumetto,

Tonfano, Focette and Motrone, offers a peaceful stay to even the most demanding of tourists

Forte dei Marmi, with its local shops and high-class, was able to select an elite tourism and is one of the most exclusive and fashionable tourist destinations of the Riviera. Walking through its streets or attending the premises is not at all difficult to meet VIP or celebrity.

The municipalities of Seravezza and Stazzema, a few kilometers from the sea, in the slope of the Alps, form the Alta Versilia. Reduced costs, tranquility, climate offshore are the trump cards to accommodate a growing tourism.

Camaiore, with the vastness of its territory (the town that does the largest province in Italy), is able to vary the offer for its many tourists who can choose whether to stay near the sea or inland.

Viareggio, thanks to the characteristic art nouveau buildings is called "The Pearl of the Tyrrhenian" and is best known for its Carnival which takes place in the winter and attracts tourists from all over Italy and abroad.

Thus she is, though improperly, such as the capital city of the Versilia. To make it even more note contribute the shipyards from which come some of the most elegant ships on the high seas. Massarosa, located in the hinterland has characteristics very different landscape and culture than the coastal areas. In these places, where you have news of human settlements dating back to the Paleolithic period, the tourist has the feeling of being in an oasis typically Tuscan. The presence of Lake Massaciuccoli - the "dear bump" by Giacomo Puccini and-beautiful and enchanting landscapes, verdant hills covered with vineyards and olive groves, sublime panoramic views, all enriched by fantastic cuisine, making the area a popular destination for tourists eager to avoid the most chaotic life of the Riviera.

It frames the Versilia, the Apuan Alps park in which are possible guided tours, mountaineering, trekking or stays in the many shelters.

There the visitor can fully merge with the landscape.

On these mountains, where people are more genuine, where time seems to pass more slowly, where peace reigns with an almost mystical traditions are hiding more railways and, looking towards the sea, you can make it truly realize located in an authentic corner of Paradise

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Magic and mysterious city, Volterra has its roots in three thousand years of history. Of the Etruscan period are the walls, the Gate Arch, the Necropolis of Marmini and all the enchanting artifacts that are now preserved in the Museo Etrusco Guarnacci, one of the richest d 'Italy. There is also a famous legacy of the Roman era, which is the theater of Vallebuona, a must see, lying at the foot of the city. But the overall impact returns the typical image of the medieval town, with its narrow streets, lanes cakes, red brick pavement, towers towering over the houses, squares that open to surprise by a network of roads .

During the summer Volterra turns into one of the most brilliant stage of Europe thanks to the event "Volterra Teatro" who, with his bill full of performances and events will allow you to enjoy a holiday full of not only relax, but also of stimulants moments of cultural encounter.

The proper way to discover Volterra is to be guided by instinct turning freely. Glimpses, churches and squares will not take long to make his way in front of your eyes in disbelief, followed by pleasant encounters with craft shops (especially alabaster and leather) series and characters from sympathy throughout Tuscany. Whatever route you choose you will find yourself always in Piazza dei Priori with the nose to look at the facades of the Palazzo dei Priori and the apse of the Cathedral. It'll probably end up like everyone else, for a view down over the Gate Arch on the lookout overlooking breathtaking suit the hill.

The International Festival of Theatre of Volterra is held in July.

Proposes a mixed programming that includes theater, music, dance, video, poetry and is open to other initiatives that are not strictly theatrical humanitarian.

 

In July, we also take theater performances in the towns of Volterra, whose billboard is always available at the organization's "Volterra Teatro"

Peccioli

Pomarance

Castelnuovo Val di Cecina

Montecatini Val di Cecina

Monteverdi Maritime

 

The artistic director of the festival is Armando Punzo.

The organization is at your disposal at the following addresses

E-mail: carteblanche@iol.it

E-mail theater festival: volterrateatro@libero.it

Who gets to Volterra in the first days of July can contact the organizers at the office set up in the Piazza dei Priori.

 

Things to see in Volterra

Piazza dei Priori, Palazzo dei Priori, Porta d'Arco, Palazzo Viti, Duomo, Baptistery, Via Ricciarelli, Via Buonparenti, Guarnacci Etruscan Museum, Fortress Archaeological area Vallebuona.

helped make it unique in the cities. Of the Etruscan period are the walls, the imposing Gate Arch, the necropolis of Marmini and numerous archaeological finds in the Museum Guarnacci, the Shadow of the Evening, with its unique profile, the urns, the finely crafted jewelry . The Theatre of Vallebona, of the Augustan age is the importance of Volterra under Roman domination.

But it comes from the Middle Ages that the structure of the city that we find, not only in the walls, the inner one, but also in the urban layout, with its narrow streets, its palaces, tower houses and churches.

The Renaissance Volterra up substantially, but without altering the medieval atmosphere. From this period are the superb palaces of Minucci Solaini Dating-screws, Inghirami, input the Medieval city, the imposing Medici Fortress, the monastery of San Girolamo

Volterra is a city of museums. In addition to the Etruscan Museum there is the Pinacoteca Civica, with a fine collection of Sienese and Florentine schools, including the "Deposition from the Cross" by Rosso Fiorentino. The Cathedral Museum has an important collection of gold fourteenth-century sculptures of the Sienese school, miniatures.

The alabaster craft, moreover, that has woven its story

with that of the city, is another point of great interest. And while visiting the numerous exhibitions and workshops of snooping around the city you will be able to breathe a bit 'of that magical atmosphere surrounding Volterra.

But there's only art and history. The surrounding area is rich in natural beauty and landscapes that offer the visitor opportunities for excursions on foot, on horseback, by bicycle along miles of marked trails to discover unique places and caratteristiciVolterra is also famous for its gastronomic specialties of the Tuscan tradition and for its warm hospitality that is able to offer to every type of tourist with its numerous hotels, farms, apartments, equipped with a campground and a modern hostel.

During the summer also cultural events, such as VolterraTeatro, concerts of classical and modern music, art exhibitions and folklore events allow guests to have a holiday full of relaxation and tranquility not only, but also of stimulating moments of cultural encounter

The Alta Val di Cecina, in the municipalities of Castelnuovo Val di Cecina, Montecatini Val di Cecina and Volterra Pomarance, it is bounded to the west by the Cornia Valley and the lower Val di Cecina, north of the Val d'Era, for east by the Val d'Elsa and south by the Metalliferous Hills. It has a rich heritage of historical, artistic, archaeological and landscape almost to constitute a "unique" in Tuscany has inspired many writers, poets and painters such as Rosa, Stendhal, Lawrence, Dennis, Corot, D'Annunzio and Cassola.

Indeed, in addition to the testimony of ancient Etruscan, Roman, Medieval and Renaissance spread throughout the country and stored mainly in Volterra, a city of art and cultural center of the entire valley, the Val di Cecina shows a rich variety of landscapes ranging from metalliferous hills wooded areas such as forests Berignone-Tatti and Monterufoli, by the Mediterranean, the landscape of the "hills of Volterra" consists of gullies, crags and hills from the gentle slope.

On the eastern slopes of Poggio La Croce is Montecatini Val di Cecina the old Monteleone, dominated by a tower, at whose feet lies the village with the typical features of the medieval center built around the representative elements of political and religious power that are identified the praetorian palace with an elegant portico and in the fourteenth century church of S. Biagio.

Montegemoli is characterized by the emerging structure of the castle with its round tower and its Renaissance style.

Pomarance preserves important vestiges of its ancient past as the Gate and the Gate of Casale Orciolina of the fourteenth-century walls, the church of S. With paintings by Giovanni Roncalli, the Cercignani and dell'Ademollo, the Praetorian Palace and the palaces of Pucci, Bicocchi, Bardini, De Larderei.

Montecastelli is characterized by a massive square tower of the Middle Ages and the Romanesque church of SS. Philip and James (XIII) with three naves with figured capitals. In the vicinity of the cemetery, is the Buca delle Fate, an underground Etruscan sec. VI BC

In S. Dalmazio interesting are the remains of medieval walls with two gates that surround the village from the almost circular shape and the Romanesque church which houses a terracotta tabernacle from the workshop of Luca della Robbia.

Nearby are the ruins of the Rocca Sillana.

Montecerboli also has the circular form of an ancient castle with medieval village.

Castelnuovo Val di Cecina is surrounded by a beautiful forest and retains its urban form "cluster" where you can distinguish the different phases of expansion.

Sasso Pisano is built around its oldest part of the castle on the highest point of the site.

Serrazzano, interesting from a planning point of view, it preserves the view of urban, retains the medieval period two gates of the walls and traces of foundation walls to the shoe, as well as the church of S. Donato presenting within interesting Gothic vaults and the lovely Romanesque church of S. Antonio.

A square tower and the church of S. Martino characterize the village of Sassa, while to the right, on a rocky outcrop rises Querceto, interesting for all of the buildings that make up the villa castle and the beautiful church of S. John.

To the historical and artistic treasures of the Val di Cecina combines the richness of its endogenous products. The alabaster, with which products are made of fine crafts, rock salt, extracted in the industries of Saline di Volterra, and the heat of the geysers that is used in thermal power plants at Larderello, typical industrial center with the church designed by Michelucci and an interesting museum of Geothermal Energy.

Ponteginori, built in 1919 by the company Solvay, is in Val di Cecina a unique example of industrial village typical of the mining areas of northern Europe.

Libbiano, Micciano, Lustignano and La Leccia built on hillocks still attest to the urban form of the ancient origin castle.

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It 'a picturesque medieval village just a short walk from the Etruscan Coast. Its origins date back to before the year one thousand, and it was between the tenth and fourteenth centuries that took on the character still recognizable. In addition to the walls, were built in this period the Church of San Giusto, the Rock, the Town Hall and the Cloister of St. Francis. Fief of the Counts Aldobrandeschis, became a free city of the Republic of Pisa, and in 1399 became part of the Lordship of the Appiani. Since then, for some centuries, it was part of the Principality of Piombino, which was built in the sixteenth century Belvedere castle and the ironworks were built to Forni di Cornia. During the Napoleonic era was assigned to Elisa Bonaparte Baiocchi, who organized in the resort village wooded Montioni a productive and spa. In 1815 it became the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, which shared its fate until the unification of Italy. Its economy, a predominantly agriculture and forestry, have made it a lively town, including the first in the Province of Pisa and later in that of Livorno.

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One of the most important cities of Italy, Siena, located in the heart of Tuscany, Etruscan center initially, passing between Volterra and Arezzo, became Roman, going down to the rank of minor city had better luck under Lombard rule, was the only city on the Via Francigena between Lucca and Viterbo, in this period grew in size and became economically through the commercial exploitation of its products. In this way, in 1200, came to life in banking, by means of the most important families of the city and the bankers of the Papal See. The most important places for transactions were along the urban stretch of the Via Francigena and the Piazza del Campo, the only large town square, which still exerts a special fascination.

After the surrender in Florence in 1559, Siena was annexed to the Duchy, but the Medici, having constructed a fortress, abandoned it for the next two centuries, leading Siena to a strong economic and demographic crisis

Arrival of the railway in the city in 1850, Siena back to life, gives strength to the ancient universities where they go to enroll from all over Europe, opens a major pharmaceutical industry and restore the banking business

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Characteristic village perched on a rocky ridge surrounded by greenery. Its unique location allows a pleasant stay, where the fresh air of the hill is softened by the proximity of the sea. Numerous and well-equipped accommodation, especially in the countryside, offer hospitality for a relaxing climate

 

The territory of Sassetta is a rare beauty and never predictable, the woods surrounding the medieval village, comprised mainly of chestnut and oak, are full of charm and mystery, a singular fascination linked to the quality of this area beautiful and at the same time rough and uneven terrain. This is perhaps the aspect that best characterizes Sassetta and its surroundings, a wild beauty almost primitive. The town is located on spurs of red marble retains traces of centuries of history. Many were the powerful who took turns to exercise the power of Sassetta, the oldest of which were the Corn family of Pisa Orlandi who dominated in these places for about four centuries. In 1405 Sassetta followed the fate of many castles close to her, in fact, passed under the power of Florence when the family of the Gherardesca, which in those years exercised rights to the castle, he accepted the act of submission to the Florentine Republic. The old town, dominated by the castle, is formed from a continuous web of narrow streets and alleys at the end of which often give wonderful views that give a strong feeling of serenity and peace, and that make Sassetta the ideal place to find a natural dimension that more and more we risk losing

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San Gimignano rises with the profile of its towers on a hill (334m high) dominating the Elsa Valley. Seat of a small Etruscan village of the Hellenistic period (III-II century BC.), Its history began around the tenth century, taking its name from the Holy Bishop of Modena, St. Gimignano, who is said to have saved the village from the barbarian hordes. Developed greatly during the Middle Ages thanks to the Via Francigena that crossed it. In fact, San Gimignano had an extraordinary flourishing of works of art to adorn the churches and monasteries. In 1199 it became a free municipality and fought against the Bishops of Volterra and the surrounding municipalities, suffered internal strife divided into two factions following the Ardinghelli (Guelphs) and the Salvucci family (Ghibellines). The May 8, 1300 Dante Alighieri ambaciatore of the Guelph League in Tuscany. The terrible plague of 1348 and the subsequent depopulation threw San Gimignano in a serious crisis. The town had therefore to submit to Florence. Degradation and abandonment of centuries after it came out only when we began to rediscover the beauty of the city, its cultural importance and the original agricultural identity.

 

Artistic itineraries

 

The Duomo or Collegiate Church, consecrated in 1148 and is adorned with valuable affereschi Sienese school: Old and New Testament (Bartolo di Fredi and the "Bottega dei Memmi"); Judgement (Taddeo di Bartolo), school works Florentine: Stories of Santa Fina (Ghirlandaio), San Sebastian (Benozzo Gozzoli), wooden statues (Jacopo della Quercia) and sculptures by Giuliano and Benedetto da Majano. All this makes the Collegiate of San Gimignano a very prestigious museum.

 

Town Hall Courtyard and Dante Hall with the Majesty of Lippo Memmi. Museum and Art Gallery with works by Filippino Lippi, Pinturicchio, Benozzo Gozzoli, Domenico di Michelino, Pier Francesco Fiorentino, Sebastiano Mainardi, Lorenzo di Niccolò di Martino Coppo di Marcovaldo etc ... Since museum you can visit the Torre Grossa and Podesta built in 1311, and 54 meters high.

Museum of Sacred Art: Tele, planks and stone fragments from churches and convents. Silverware, choral and liturgical vestments.

 

St. Augustine Church: Stories of St. Agostino (Benozzo Gozzoli), remains of fourteenth century frescoes, panels and canvases by different artists (Benozzo Gozzoli, Piero del Pollaiuolo, Pier Francesco Fiorentino, Vincenzo Tamagni, Sebastiano Mainardi). Chapel of St. Bartolo (Benedetto da Majano).

Smaller churches: St. Bartolo, S. James, St. Peter, St. Francis (remains), San Lorenzo in Ponte.

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The origin of Rosignano country, is very old and many likely Etruscan. The first written document known so far, which Rosignano memories, it is the year 762, while Vada was already clearly identified in the paper 'Peutingeriana' of 330 or 395 BC

Rosignano since the year 900, ie after the Lombard rule, and during that of Carolinghi, was included in the Marquis of Tuscany and, since then followed the fortunes of Pisa, more propriamentedella his Table Archbishop at that time, you can say, was a kind of delegated power for the exercise of which he derived substantial profits Soup Kitchen.

1238 - The Municipality of Pisa 300 appropriated money for the construction of the fortified tower of Vada, to be used as a beacon for the entry of the canals in the harbor. This operation was necessary to boost trade and population growth in an area considered unhealthy and then deserted, so, in 1285 he decided Pisa exemptions and privileges to families who settled in the harbor.

1406 - Florence, annexed the territory. But in 1431 in Florence Rosignano rebelled and sided with the Duke of Milan, Filippo Maria Visconti, then at war with Florence. Around 1433 the Florentines resumed countries insurgents, and because of their rebellion they dismantled the fortifications of the castle of Vada and Rosignano. For this reason, in 1450 where he remained for Vada was abandoned forest and swamp until 1564 also sesolo in 1547 gedendo citizens of a twenty-year exemption from taxes and tributiiniziarono a farming settlement in the depopulated areas of the City.

In terms of public power is going from the Middle Ages to 1500, the City did to himself and had its own consuls, governors and ambassadors.

1776 - The territory of Vada under the great Duchy of Tuscany began to spread in Rosignano, finally integrating the municipality of Castelnuovo

 

1809 - The Tuscany belonged to the French Government, and consequently Rosignano was subject to the prefect of the district of Livorno

 

Following the remediation carried out between nineteenth and twentieth centuries, dominated the coast from the town of Rosignano Maritime in 1914 was erected the factory of the company Solvay, designed to create a very important industrial center and a human settlement which today has 16,000 inhabitants. Rosignano Solvay is the fraction most populous municipality of Rosignano, and the town has developed immediately to the north-west of the settlement industry where products are caustic soda, soda and baking soda. The same company Solvay has largely contributed to the construction of the country, according to the criteria of "garden city" that greatly influenced the twentieth-century Europe. The coast of Rosignano Solvay is characterized by wide beaches with modern bathing establishments. Particularly famous are the so-called "white sands", which are located south of the town.

 

. Beaches desolate and white, blue sea and clear water ... a dream that few can afford: a trip to the tropics or on a small island in the southern hemisphere. And the impression that you have along the Aurelia road, which connects Livorno to Grosseto, in a southerly direction, it is this: a tropical beach, palm trees without, but with the blue sea and white sand.

From the height, coming from Livorno and passed the exit of Castiglioncello, before reaching that of Rosignano Maritime, turning his gaze along the jagged coastline, abnormal white strip, about four kilometers. This special place is known, not surprisingly, by the name of White Beaches.

The reason for the unusual color of the sand is the result of years of production of bicarbonate, which has its own plant in Rosignano Maritime, about a kilometer from the coast.

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According to Servius, a commentator of Virgil's Aeneid, Populonia would be the first Etruscan city founded by a people from Corsica or Volterra. The excavations belie this version because the oldest tombs of Populonia are Villanovan period then you exclude interventions Corsican. In addition Volterra may not have founded Populonia because its tombs are more recent. Objects of polished stone suggest the existence of Populonia since the Neolithic Age. In the Villanovan period there were two appropriations working copper and two different nuclei fused together in a single city: Populonia.

The name Populonia (Pupluna) comes from the name of the god Fufluns, divinity initially linked to agriculture and then identified with Bacchus. The etymology of the name seems so connected with the fertility of the soil. Populonia is the only Etruscan town that was founded on the sea, the northernmost coastal lucumonia. Populonia was part of the 12 cities, a league of twelve religious - city-state - that would meet once a year at Voltumna (probably close to Lake Bolsena), site of a sanctuary here were performing religious rites, feasts and games and were taken by mutual agreement also political decisions.

Baratti-Populonia was divided into two parts: the upper part and the lower part. The upper part, corresponding to the acropolis, was inhabited by wealthy people who had the political power in the acropolis was also practiced the cult. The lower part was the land of the dead, the necropolis near it housed some of the poorest people. Here is also the industrial area, with ovens for metal working and, in the fourth century. BC Iron: the city was in fact flourishing in both the mining and industrial sectors. Populonia reached its maximum development and splendor in the fifth century. BC, thanks to the intense trade with Greece.

The Etruscans believed that the dead continue to live in the graves, the dead were buried in fact a funeral staff. The Etruscans were a people lover of life's pleasures, the frescoes in fact often have as a theme in sumptuous banquets attended by both men and females. The cultural heritage of this people is so vast and rich that Rome I was so fascinated and influenced by many aspects to their culture and architecture of this civilization.