“Returning with the Captives” at the Etruscan Gate (4th Century BC); Volterra – Italy. Oil on Panel (1884) by Alexander Svedomsky (1848-1911).

Volterra is a village built on a hill between the Era and Cecina valleys. With its double walls, both Etruscan and from the 13th Century, it’s a medieval-looking city, where you can still enjoy the atmosphere of a historic village.

Volterra (Veláthri), was one of the main city-states of ancient Etruria and during the Middle Ages, it was the seat of an important episcopal lordship. The village has been known for centuries for the manufacture of alabaster whose artefacts are some of the most important products of Italian craftsmanship. Alabaster is a soft stone, much easier to work than marble, which is far harder. This malleability makes it perfect for carving small sculptures and richly detailed ornamental motifs. Historically, alabaster was used to carve the human face.

More than 2000 years have passed since Etruscans first began carving alabaster, but it is still crafted today in the hilltop town of Volterra. Although it no longer represents a significant part of the local economy, it is nonetheless a fundamental part of the town’s culture. Only a few authentic workshops are left in the old town centre, but these artisans are not only carrying on this old craft; they are also making it popular again.

Porta all’Arco – this remarkable example of architectural abilities of the ancient inhabitants of Volterra has witnessed the city’s history throughout the millennia.

Porta all’Arco gate is one of main Etruscan architectural monuments in Volterra. The gate, opening on the South side of the walls, is characterised by an arch made out of ashlars and decorated by three heads made out of stone. One can immediately notice that it was built with different materials and techniques, which shows that it has been restructured throughout the centuries. The jambs are made out of big blocks of sandstone, locally called “Panchino”. The three heads and the arch are made out of two different types of stone: the blocks of the arch are “tufo di Pignano”, a calcareous rock extracted in a quarry not far from Volterra, whereas the heads are carved into selagite, a rock extracted in area of Montecatini Val di Cecina.

Not only does the gate have an unusual structure, but the meaning behind the three heads on the arch is unknown, which adds an element of mystery to the monument. The most reliable hypothesis is that the heads represent the gods protecting the city of Volterra. An urn in the Guarnacci Museum dating back to 1st Century BC portraying a siege includes an image of the gate with its three heads, which probably makes it the oldest representation that we have of the Porta all’Arco.

(208.9 x 141.6 cm)

Columbus Museum

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