Jo1023

Has anyone been to the restaurant in the prison in Volterra? I learned about it during a trip last year, but can't find anything current and I'm wondering if it's still open. Making a reservation requires a security clearance and several weeks notice and we can't figure out the details to do that.

SeaUrchin

I am curious too, the prison is a gigantic facility which was a former Medici fortress or so I was told. It is really imposing, situated overlooking the valley below. I have heard about the restaurant a year or so ago but nothing since then either.

ekscrunchy

I think this is open only a few days per month and is booked out months in advance; here is the town tourist website; you can e-mail them...let us know what you learn!!


http://www.volterratur.it/lang/eng/index_eng.asp

SeaUrchin

We stayed in a villa below Volterra and would have the prison in our vista from the yard. I would have loved to have dined there! Yes, please let us know for future visits.

Jo1023

I emailed the local tourist bureau and they replied within hours. They haven't established when the restaurant will be open this year. They didn't give any info on how to get reservations or security clearance although I asked. From the little I found out elsewhere, it's apparently only open on certain days each year. I'll share more info if I get any. I visited Volterra last year without knowing about the prison. My daughter and I thought it was a beautiful Tuscan town--great views of the surrounding countryside and a nice little park right next to the prison. As we were leaving there was a road rally of 50-60 mini-cars taking off from the main plaza--like a scene right out of a movie!