VOLTERRA
Of very ancient Etruscan foundations, Volterra still preserves in great part the historical, artistic and monumental vestiges, as evidence of its glorious past, which constitute a heritage of incomparable value and make it one of the most beautiful and interesting centres of Tuscany, and indeed the whole of Italy.
Getting married in Volterra can be the ideal choice for those who would like a ceremony that is out of the ordinary, in a fabulous architectural and landscaped setting, suspended between ancient and modern, between the past and the future.
CIVIL CEREMONY
Volterra welcomes couples who decide to wed with a civil ceremony against the backdrop of its red roofs and the rolling hills that are out of sight in the prestigious Sala del Buon Consiglio. It is inside the Palazzo dei Priori, the current headquarters of the municipal administration and the oldest town hall in the region, overlooking the square of the same name. The room can accommodate about 90 people and, at an additional cost, you can enjoy a toast in the adjoining Sala della Giunta and also activate the wi-fi network.
The location is offered to the couple for an hour, providing sufficient time to take photographs.
RELIGIOUS CEREMONY
Volterra is dotted with ancient and beautiful churches, perfect for framing a romantic “I do” with almost a taste of other times.
The very intriguing and intimate aspect of the Church of San Francesco derives primarily from the era in which it was built and its significance. It is the principal Franciscan church of the city and was the first to be constructed immediately after the preaching of the “Poverello of Assisi”, in the thirteenth century. The figure of the saint, his life and his teaching left a powerful and indelible mark on the soul of the people, more and more attracted and dominated by the mystical charm of Franciscanism. The large building has a single nave culminating in three choral chapels; initially, the monastery leant against it, but today it has been replaced by housing. The location and style of the building are in perfect harmony with the Franciscan canons: simplicity, simplicity and a position on the edge of the medieval town. The Gothic style Cappella della Croce (Chapel of the Cross) is of notable artistic value, decorated in the 15th century by the Florentine artist Cenni di Ser Cenni.
However, the main Catholic church of Volterra is the Romanesque Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Of late-Renaissance appearance, with a classic Latin cross plan, it preserves and is home to, the sculptural group of the “Deposition”, an important relief work probably dating back to the 13th.century.
The Church of San Pietro in Selci, although surmounted by a Baroque façade, was built in the Middle Ages, in the 12th century to be precise. The atmosphere that it pervades is quite severe and once inside you can appreciate works by the Master of Volterra, Niccolò Cercignani and Francesco Brini.
The Church of Saints Giusto and Clemente, also known as San Giusto Nuovo, was built in the 17th century and is interesting from both an architectural and historical-artistic point of view. Surrounded by the typical lush green that characterises Volterra, and Tuscany in general, there are precious relics of the first evangelists and martyrs Carissimo, Dolcissimo and Crescenzio, as well as an ancient altarpiece table currently incorporated into the choir, with engraved names of Cuniperto, Gaudenziano and Alchis, respectively a Lombard king, a bishop and a representative of the king.
An environment so full of charm can be the ideal choice for those who want to exchange the promises of love in a stimulating place with cultural aspects.
In a delightful little square in the heart of the town is the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, built towards the end of the 11th.century in perfect Roman-Pisan style; even if the interior underwent a large number of aesthetic and structural interventions during the 19th.century, the almost intact structure maintains the typical atmosphere of medieval churches. As simple as the style to which it had to conform required, San Michele Arcangelo lends itself to intimate and refined ceremonies.
WEDDING RECEPTION (VENUES)
Among historical homes, comfortable hotels and restaurants renowned throughout the territory, Volterra offers the future bride and groom locations for prestigious ceremonies.
For space reasons it is impossible to list them all, so we will limit ourselves to mention some of the most well-known.
The Villa di Ulignano is one of the most significant and characteristic of the territory of Volterra and its delightful position, in the heart of the Tuscan hills, offers not only a breath-taking view but also the opportunity to experience the true essence of this region.
It is not by chance that it is located in a strategic area rich in historical and naturalistic references, in the middle of the triangle created by the splendid cities of Florence, Pisa and Siena. The ancient building, dating back to the seventeenth century, takes its name from the hill above which it extends; mature trees litter the large garden surrounding the villa.
Would you like a location that is lost in the bright green Tuscan countryside, far from the noise of the city and that is also elegant?
Villa Montaperti offers all this and more. It is possible to celebrate weddings in the consecrated eighteenth-century church that is attached to the villa. The garden with swimming pool contributes to making Villa Montaperti an enchanting place.
A Tuscan haven?
Borgo Pignano offers an enchanting haven of peace and tranquillity. Set in a beautifully restored country estate it offers an exclusive combination of elegant accommodation, exceptional comfort and gracious hospitality. Pignano offers a heart-stopping location for weddings. The estate has a Romanesque thirteenth century church, San Bartolomeo, which still rings out its bells for weddings and celebrations. The spacious lawn terraces of the 18th.century villa overlook the town of Volterra and the gardens, courtyards and terraces offer endless opportunities for wedding photography. Guests can also try numerous pre and post wedding activities such as spa treatments, wine tasting, cooking lessons, yoga classes and horse riding.
Get married in a theatre?
This is also possible in Volterra. The Persio Flacco is a prestigious theatre built in 19th. century, a project by the architect Luigi Campani, still fully active from the programming point of view also offers its Ridotto to wedding couples who would like to celebrate their marriage in a refined, yet unconventional, location. The Ridotto of the Persio Flacco theatre, with its typically nineteenth-century setting, is perfect for elegant and stylish receptions. The managers of this prestigious multi-purpose venue are pleased to offer their professional advice to help you set up for an unforgettable reception, with careful attention to every detail, from the catering to the most appropriate musical entertainment.
LOCATION PHOTO
The particular history of Volterra, at first Etruscan and then medieval, with numerous remains of the past still visible and well preserved, make it a city in which it becomes all too easy to find stimulating backgrounds for romantic photos.
Volterra is rich in monuments, churches and palaces of extraordinary beauty and artistic importance; you only have to go into any of its streets to find suitable settings for posing with your partner.
The medieval city wall that surrounds the modern part of the city, probably built on the pre-existing Etruscan wall, is worthy of note. If you would like to enjoy a breath-taking view, we suggest walking along the “erte”, or to be precise, the little uphill streets flanked by impressive stone houses.
Another amazing, breath-taking, view?
Certainly, the one of the Balze di Volterra, a geological phenomenon that is particular to this area of Tuscany, where atmospheric agents create the famous gullies and other formations on the clayey soil with a sandy and rocky character.
Also worthy of note are the Roman Theatre, the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the Baptistery of San Giovanni and the Torre Campanaria (Bell Tower).
FAMOUS WEDDINGS
For some years now, more and more famous people from the world of entertainment have tended to choose Tuscany as the place to celebrate their wedding. Principally in Florence, where, to name a couple of them, David Bowie and Kim Kardashian held their marriages but also other cities and towns in the region that have drawn the interest of many VIPs.
As for Volterra, even if not for a wedding, we would like to point out the great love that Alan Rickman, the late actor and English director who died last year had for this place. He is probably most remembered as the teacher Severus Snape in very successful Harry Potter films. The British artist, in love with our Tuscany, owned a house near Grosseto but had a particular fondness for Volterra, which in turn answers with cultural initiatives to remember and celebrate its history.
