Volterra has been a centre of alabaster carving for over 2,500 years and a handful of working botteghe still survive in the old town. Most cluster along Via Porta all'Arco and Via Don Minzoni. The pieces on sale range from tourist trinkets to serious sculpture; the better workshops are open to watching the carvers at work.
The Ecomuseo dell'Alabastro on Piazzetta dei Fornelli sets the craft in its historical context, with displays of antique tools and finished pieces. The shop floor at Rossi Alabastri (Via del Mandorlo) and the Cooperativa Artieri (Piazza dei Priori) are good starting points for buying.