Via Martiri della Libertà 25/C - 58017 Pitigliano (GR)

Itineraries.

 Pitigliano

Sorano

Sovana

Sea

Mountain

Lake

Pitigliano  is an ancient town, rich in history. Rising on a long rocky outcrop, the house seem to emerge directly from the volcanic tufa rock.

Its rather mysterious origins go back a remote past: primitive rocky caves within the rock structure from which the town emerges, are testimony to an existing settlement in prehistoric times. This is confirmed by archaeological findings of the Neolithic period brought to light in the surrounding countryside. The Etruscan origins of a settlement are witnessed by the numerous tombs found in the vicinity: there is a small necropolis which runs along the west slope of the Meleta river valley.

Very little remains of the Roman period except the name itself. “Pitigliano” comes from a Roman family Petilia who existed until 385 B.C. and founded the city according to the local legend.

Sorano was already settlement in the late Bronze Age (XII-X century B.C.) The town rises upon an outcrop of tufa rock which overlooks the river Lente valley. In Medieval times it was the most important stronghold of the Orsini Counts, the Medici and finally the Grand Duke of Tuscany.

The entrance to the town is by the south gateway which leads into a maze of tiny streets to the heart of Sorano whose medieval structure has practically remained intact.

Sovana was also inhabited during the late Bronze Age (XII-X century B.C.), it was one of the most important cities along the river Fiora valley in Etruscan times. The Romans came to power. The Bishop’s seat at the beginning of Christianity, it was conquered by the Longobardi and successively by the Franks. Homeland of Pope Gregory VII (Ildebrando of Sovana), it then became the principal town of the Aldobrandeschi family. Its rich history and treasured monuments make it the most important place in the territory.