Volterra

Volterra crowns a hill in Tuscany, enclosed by walls that recall its long history. Known as Velathri to the Etruscans, it was one of their major cities and later became the Roman Volaterrae. Its bishop held considerable authority in the Middle Ages, while ancient and medieval remains still mark the hilltop town.

Deposits of alum helped draw the interest of Florence, which brought Volterra under its rule. Resistance culminated in the war of 1472: after the town surrendered on 16 June following a siege of twenty-five days, soldiers under Federico da Montefeltro plundered it and committed violence against its local inhabitants. Wealthy families left and property was seized. In 1530 Volterra passed under the Medici and followed the history of the Tuscan state.