The Balze, one of the most fascinating and disturbing places in the Volterrano area, is a gigantic chasm that deeply incises the NW side of the hill. The extensive landslide is the result of the erosive action of rainwater infiltrating through the permeable sandy deposit at the top of the Volterra hill and melting the impermeable clay below, thus causing the progressive collapse of the sandy and arenaceous layers on top of it. The erosive phenomenon, active for several centuries, has involved part of an Etruscan necropolis and the churches of S. Clemente and S. Giusto al Botro, devoured by the precipice in the 17th century.

From the car park near the Balze, it is possible to walk along the ancient Etruscan walls dating back to the 4th century B.C. and admire extraordinary views before reaching the remains of the Camaldolese Abbey, which has been suspended between the earth and the sky for about 10 centuries, challenging the inexorably advancing chasm of the Balze.

The great Etruscan circle of walls in “panchino” stone was more than 7 km long and enclosed an area of 102 hectares.
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