Vada Volaterrana was an important harbour between Portus Pisanus and Populonium near the modern Vada in Italy. Already in the 8th and 7th century BC there was an efficient harbour system.
The coastal region, characterized by lagoons fed by numerous small streams and bays protected from the sea currents and the dangerous shallow waters off the coasts, was a safe place for ports trade activities.
Since the 80s a commercial quarter from Roman times has been excaveted by the University of Pisa. During excavations several buildings has been found among others two bathhouses, a warehouse (horreum), an aula, a large fountain a schola and two other buildings from which one was probably a schola too and the other a roofed marketplace (macellum). Both were dating from the first century AC.
One of the main products shipped out was the local wine. This wine was very popular by Roman legionaires stationed in the camps guarding the borders of the Empire in France and more to the North.
See also:
- [24-04-2020] "The harbour of Volterra", also available in Dutch
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