The Balze in Volterra

The Balze (cliffs) in Volterra, are rock formations located near the town of the same name and created by long erosion caused by the soil type. Over time, the sands on the surface have allowed rainwater to pass through, originating the collapse of the underlying, essentially clay, soil. The advancing cliffs devoured churches, monasteries, roads and even a necropolis over the centuries. The area has been a burial place since the 10th century BC and many urns kept in the Guarnacci Etruscan Museum were discovered here.