Will the Volterra Amphitheater discovered in 2015 become one of Tuscany's great attractions?

It is perhaps the best-known archaeological excavation in recent years, one of those that have caused the most discussion, but it is also the one that has the most potential: this is theVolterra Amphitheater, discovered in 2015. By pure chance: the huge structure, of which there was no trace left (and there are no historical sources mentioning it either), had emerged during some work to restore a waterway after a storm. Yet it is one of the largest and most important amphitheaters in Roman times: it measures 82 x 64 meters and could seat between eight and ten thousand spectators. Work on the structure, which has continued uninterrupted since 2015, is being overseen by the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio of the provinces of Pisa and Livorno and is directed by archaeologist Elena Sorge.

The amphitheater was visited yesterday, Nov. 4, by Culture Minister Dario Franceschini. “We are facing an extraordinary and incredible discovery for which the Superintendence, University and CNR are working together,” Franceschini said during his visit. “A unique research experiment with an archaeological excavation of this kind, in which all the new cutting-edge tools made available by technology are being used.”

And now the question is: Does the Volterra Amphitheater have what it takes to become one of Tuscany’s major attractions? Minister Franceschini has no doubts: “The Volterra Amphitheater is a place that will become a fantastic attraction for the town and for all of Tuscany. A place that the whole world has talked about and will continue to talk about, when the excavations are completed, because it is an absolute wonder. There will be new positive news shortly about the funds that will be secured and will be greater than the ordinary funds already provided, adequate for the level of work that is about to re-emerge from the earth.” Indeed, Franceschini is aware that such a site, moreover still largely to be excavated and studied, requires resources beyond ordinary management.

“Today was a historic day,” reads the Amphitheater’s social page: “Minister Dario Franceschini came to the excavation, long called for, invoked by everyone, by city institutions, by the Superintendence, by the highest officials of the Region. He came at perhaps the best time, at the moment when our efforts had reached their peak, when we are beginning to understand and have clear enough ideas to be able to understand how to proceed to get there, so ... yay yay! Today was a great day for all of us and for the amphitheater that was not there! A heartfelt thank you to all those who have been digging work hope with us for years and also to all those who follow us!”

Will the Volterra Amphitheater discovered in 2015 become one of Tuscany's great attractions?

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