Volterra

 Volterra is another small and amazing town in Tuscany that sits on top of a hill. As you drive up the winding road to Volterra you are greeted by sheer rock faces and the camoflaged stone buildings propped on top making an even more dramatic appearance. You really feel like your entering a midievel place. This town dates back to Etruscian times, there are Roman ruins including an ampitheater, there is also a prison which we were up for touring until the guard told us "prisoners only".

 The center of town. Photo on top right really looks like Palazzo Vechio in Florence, I'm sure its function was for the same reason.

 Sisi having fun!

 This is one of the main pedestrian roads with cute stores and workshops.

 Top on right of photo: cute and tiny church; Botton inside the cute and tiny church

 One thing that Volterra is known for is its Alabaster. This man on the bottom is creating works of art from the Alabaster. 

 This woman uses this loom to make her own fabrics with the rolls of wool yarns and her creations are really beautiful shawls, coats, sweaters, hats, scarfs, blankets. She has a small shop and her work place took up about half of it, it was so neat to see her making one of her creations. 

This was a nice day trip from Florence. We came here when my mom was still visiting. 

I also found this article from the Florentine: 

  http://www.theflorentine.net/articles/article-view.asp?issuetocId=6027