Well done!

You solved the first clue.

That's a relief...

If you can solve that, perhaps you really can help me recover the missing notes before tonight's concert.

Where your City Quest begins

This morning, I began my walk at the Vecchie Fonti, the old springs just below Lajatico.

To recover the missing notes, we must retrace my steps from the very beginning.

So that's where our journey begins!

 

👉 Click here to see the exact starting location in Google Maps.

Parking instructions

If you arrive by car, we recommend parking at Piazza Sandro Pertini. Parking here is free and it's just a short walk to the starting point.

 

👉 Click here to see the parking location in Google Maps.

 

If no spaces are available, don't worry. Lajatico is a small village, and you'll easily find another parking spot nearby. The starting location is always within walking distance.

Optional historical background

The Vecchie Fonti ("Old Springs") were once the most important water supply for the medieval castle of Lajatico.

 

In 1783, by order of Gonfaloniere Ottavio Gotti, the springs were enlarged and transformed into a public gathering place. Stone basins were added for washing clothes, and a separate trough provided drinking water for animals.

 

For generations, the people of Lajatico came here every day to collect fresh water. It was also a social meeting place, where news was exchanged while laundry was washed by hand.

 

The springs were originally reached by Via Fonda, a medieval stone-paved path leading down from the village. Although daily life has changed, the Vecchie Fonti remain one of Lajatico's best-preserved reminders of its past.

Optional challenge

City Quest is designed to be a relaxed adventure, not a race. But if you'd like to add a little friendly competition, you certainly can!

 

Divide your group into teams. Each team can play on its own phone using the same start link. You'll find the link in the email you received after your purchase, or you can simply copy the URL of this page.

 

All teams start at the same time.

 

The winner is the first team to help Giulia recover all the missing notes and complete the City Quest.

 

Don't be tempted to guess the answers. Every wrong answer costs valuable time, so careful observation is often faster than guessing.

 

Play fair... every note counts. 🎻

What lies ahead

You are standing where my walk began.

 

From here, you'll follow the same route I took through Lajatico, searching for the missing notes before tonight's concert begins.

 

Along the way, you'll need to observe carefully, solve puzzles, and work together. The correct answer to each puzzle is a musical note. Write every note down in the order you find it. You'll need them all before the journey is over.

 

Take your time. There is no time limit, unless you've decided to turn your adventure into a competition.

 

Look carefully. The answers are all around you.

 

When you're ready... let's begin!

Note: To ensure correct puzzle outcomes, we recommend not using automatic phone translations. City Quest Lajatico is available in English, Italian, German, and Dutch.

Note: Mobile internet coverage in Lajatico is generally good. If your connection drops at any point, simply move a little or connect to a nearby café or restaurant's Wi-Fi.

Quest 1 – The wall of memory

Giulia's Story...

 

As a child, I came here almost every day with my friends.

 

We used to spend hours trying to count the fish, although we never managed to agree on the final number. To be honest, I enjoyed splashing my feet in the cool water much more than counting them.

 

My mother always knew exactly where to find me whenever I was late for dinner.

 

Now that I think about it... I stopped here for a moment this morning as well. Perhaps the first missing opening note is waiting to be discovered here.

 

Will you take a good look around?

Portrait of Larth, a wise elderly man who guides the City Quest through Volterra. (AI)

Giulia

Your task

 

Several years are carved into the plaques on the outside of the city wall, just to the right of Porta a Selci.

 

Find the oldest year and the most recent year you can see.

 

Add these two years together. That is your answer.