Volterra II

It took us about 2 minutes to walk from our convent to the hilltown of Volterra.  Once through the city gates, we enjoyed strolling through the narrow streets.

Our first view of Volterra.

One of the many enticing alleys veering off from a main street.

We explored two museums - the Pinoteca (art museum) and the Etruscan Museum.

The Pinoteca is an art museum in an old palazzo.  It doesn't have a huge collection, but what it has is exquisite.  This is one of many sculptures that I enjoyed.  It was located in the courtyard - almost as an after thought.  It made me think of our grandson, Solomon Soup.

This Etruscan tomb top is unusual because it is in good shape, and because it portrays a husband and wife together.  

Margit and I needed a break from the tourists, and were lucky to find this bar that seemed to be lovely and unpopular.  It was a perfect place to rest between museums.

Everything in Volterra is exquisite - Mary looked down at us as we ate lunch at a sidewalk cafe in a quiet alley.

 One afternoon, Taylor and I walked downhill and outside a different city gate than we normally entered.  We discovered a neighborhood where the people who work in Volterra live.  Nondescript as the neighborhood is compared to the walled city, it was full of hidden gems.

We popped into 4 or 5 churches on the other side of the city gate.  Each one was exquisite in its own quiet way.

This diminutive gem is the Church of St Christopher.

The inside of St Christopher's shows the ravages of time - frescoes in disrepair, but beautiful nonetheless.

Wine tasting on the street.  The bottle on the left has the best - the Brunello from Montalcino - delicious.

There were so many things to see and do in Volterra, but we need to move on to Villa Maddalena in Montisi.  But first, we end our day with a wine tasting.  How perfect.