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Features of the Upper Era
Valley dotted with villas, churches and farms.
(A, B, T)
Volterra - Roncolla - M.Voltraio - Pignano - Sensano - Ulignano - Volterra
Time needed: half a day (A,B) / a full day
(T)
As you drive past the Medieval village of
Roncolla turn left onto the SS439 and then turn to
the right signposted Villa Palagione.
On arrival park the car and proceed along the country lane to your left; walk past the
ruins of the 10th century church of St. John to the top of Monte Voltraio , a sandstone
hill once dominated by a castle named the Rocca di Monte Voltraio. At the foot of the hill
stands the beautiful Medieval abandoned building of the Casale Rocca. Follow the path,
past the small 13th century church of S.Lorenzo to Pignano, an ancient 10th century rural
castle which was later transformed into a villa and farm by the Marquis Incontri of
Volterra; the 13th century church of St. Bartholomew is built on tufa, a stone once used
by the Etruscans and the Romans and quarried in the area. On the Cornocchio road turn left
and at La Madonnina turn left again onto the country lane leading to Sensano
,once a 12th century village transformed into a castle erected around the church of Saints
Ippolito and Cassiano. As you walk down you come across the 17th century villa of Ulignano
built for Admiral Jacopo Inghirami and the18th century villa of Scopicci which leads back
to Volterra.
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A
car, roads
B
mountain bike, cycling Trails
T
trekking, Walking Trails |
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