There parallel city, or rather the parallel cities under the exposed Volterra They are a heritage often unknown even to the same residents.
There are many underground archaeological areas Today, these sites are known and more or less accessible. Dangerous situations, lack of staff, inadequate safety measures, difficult access, and poor maintenance are just some of the reasons that often prevent visits to many of these places. However, you can always organize your own visits, and we can help you choose the most accessible points of interest.
ROMAN POOL
On the Castle Plan it is located there Pool, Roman construction which served as a storage area for drinking water for the population. The pool building is quadrilateral in shape and approximately 9 meters deep. The vault is supported by six pillars and the floor is made of very hard concrete. The pillars are made of large square-shaped bench stones and the walls and the vault were built by pouring. You can access through a narrow spiral staircase. Going down the temperature is getting colder, but in the height of summer it can become a pleasant escape from the oppressive heat.
VAMPIRE'S CRYPT
In the cellars of Viti Palace there is a Etruscan well used for water collection. The lack of precise data prevents us from precisely identifying the construction period and whether the water inside was rainwater or spring water. An evocative environment that has acquired the reputation of Vampire's Crypt, due to or thanks to the collective imagination arising from the fans of the Twilight Saga. The writer Stephanie Meyer he wanted Volterra homeland of the Volturi and, in the first years after the release of the American bestseller, numerous demonstrations were organized in the city amateur readings and theatrical performances which saw thousands of readers from all over Italy gather.
THE CELLARS OF PALAZZO VITI
The Vampire's Crypt has a bonus three in one. In the same undergrounds it is possible taste the delicious cuisine of Le Cantine di Palazzo Viti and dance to the music thanks to the lively parties of the Qvo Vadis Pub. They are the undergrounds of The Catacombs, places of teenage nightlife from the 1950s to the first decade of the 2000s; today these spaces have mostly been reinvented as restaurant areas, but they remain a culturally significant point of interest as they are part of the cellars of the historic Palazzo Viti, whose upper floors can be visited.
THE MIDDLE-EARTH TAVERN
The mysterious environment of the Middle-earth Tavern certainly benefits from the wonderful setting in which it is inserted. The Roman-era cellar inside the Cangini Palace offers visions of ancient times. The cellar today consists of two very large rooms and a small cave This makes the atmosphere truly magical. The underground rooms are cool, and even on the hottest days, they can be considered a welcome relief.
ETRUSCAN HYPOGEA
I Volterrans they have always called them Etruscan holes, but they are correctly said hypogea. They are very ancient tombs, located in underground cavities accessible by stairs. Marmini area, out Diana Gate There are two clearly visible ones; they are large and spacious and sometimes even illuminated. (depends on financial resources). Even more beautiful are the Hellenistic hypogea, not normally open to the public, which are located near the hospital of Volterra; they were part of the necropolis of Ulimeto obliterated right from the hospital area. They concern the Inghirami Tomb and Torricchia or Bianchi Tomb. The tombs at Marmini, otherwise known as the Portone, therefore, they are the most recommended, but being outside the historic center, travel could be difficult. You might, therefore, settle for seeing the closest ones: the tombs of San Giusto, visible from the outside.
THE OLD FASHIONED
Restaurants like to stay underground, the cool air brightens up the hottest evenings while we wait for the dishes to arrive under our fork. The Old Way, located along Via Ricciarelli, occupies the underground spaces of Palazzo Ricciarelli. And what dungeons! These spaces branch out and even extend under the road, crossing it perpendicularly, and then reaching the opposite side. Here you can eat pizza, the good kind, typical Tuscan products, and you can take advantage of the service. Self service for quick and independent snacks. A gem to discover.
DON BETA
Don Beta is located in one of Volterra's most picturesque corners, along Via Matteotti, which leads directly to Piazza dei Priori. The completely renovated restaurant is a traditional Tuscan restaurant, divided into several dining rooms, including wine cellars for tastings and larger rooms ideal for large groups. It sits beneath the arches of Palazzo Maffei, a historic residence whose aesthetics can be admired along the walls. In the 13th century, there were only porticos here, but today, Don Beta, spread across multiple floors, can handle the onslaught of one hundred and twenty customers at a time. It's highly sought-after and open year-round. The basement is charming; you descend one floor, then another, and then another. A palace in reverse, where height is reversed downwards.
