The road to Volterra ascends a mere 7 KM, but the ride takes about 30 minutes as you snake your way into the city. Driving the hairpin curves is definitely an adventure and not for the faint of heart. It’s easy to see why Stephanie Meyer stresses the excellent driving skills of the Cullen drivers! Only a Cullen could navigate this road with any semblance of speed.

Your first view at the crest of the hill is a panoramic scene of the Tuscan countryside with Volterra the jewel rising above it all; simply breathtaking.

Entering Volterra is literally experiencing the past and present simultaneously. One is immediately confronted with ancient stone structures that stand up to the indifference of time and continue to accommodate life in the 21st century. This is an introduction to/ walking tour through, the city of Volterra: Walking into the Piazza Dei Priori…

The Piazza Dei Priori is so much like Stephenie Meyer describes it in New Moon;

Evidence of the Twilight Saga surrounds you in Volterra: in the alabaster showrooms… in the souvenir shops…

Even at the tourist Information Center…

Naturally, a major attraction for many visitors is finding and tracing the route Alice and Bella took to get to Edward and save him, as well as their subterranean trek through the lair of the Volturi, and their ultimate escape route out of Volterra. The information office generously provides a map to visitors so they might take a walking trip to follow their mystical path; however, unless you are familiar with the city, it proves to be a somewhat daunting task. Luckily, I met a resident who was happy to show me the way!I have created a photographic version of that route…

Arriving in Volterra:

Alice and Bella enter the city through the San Francesco Gate; also referred to by many of the locals as the New Moon Gate…

Alice declares to Bella… “You have two minutes. Go Bella, GO!” Via Franceschini takes Bella toward the Piazza Dei Priori…

Bella runs left…heading to the Piazza Dei Priori and the clock tower…

The Piazza with the famous Palazzo Dei Priori The New Moon clock tower on the face of thefeaturing the only rounded parapets in the world! Palazzo Dei Priori…

Bella finds Edward in this alleyway…

Closer to the actual entrance to the underground passageway…

actual entrance to the lair of the Volturi according to the residents of Volterra!

The underground passages the Volturi took Edward, Bella, and Alice through are under this restaurant Enoteca…..

interior of Enoteca…

the glass floor showing the passages…

passages used today for storage, but still eerie!

Palazzo Viti is the palatial residence over the Volturi lair/stronghold from which Edward, Bella, and Alice exit their clutches and the city of Volterra…

leaving Volterra through the Porta all’ Arco…the oldest gate out of the city…

view looking back as they exit Volterra!