| Trips | |||||
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Pitigliano |
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Together with the neighbouring villages of Sovana and Sorano, Pitigliano forms a triangle, called "Le Città del Tufo": the tuff cities. Each of the townships are close by the other and each have their own specific character. |
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Sovana |
Nowadays you can hardly imagine that Sovana was once the most important lace in the area, till the seat of the bishop moved to Pitigliano. Later on it was virtually uninhabited for a longer period. Today it's one of the most beautiful and quiet places around. One of the neatest architectural ensembles is the Pizza del Pretorio. At the very end of the village is the cathedral, a precious monument in Romanic style . Then you can see (believe it or not!) the birthplace of Hildebrand who later, in 1077, as pope Gregorio VII let the German emperor, Henry IV come to Canossa and wait on him standing barefooted in the snow. Sovana is also famous for its Roman-Etruscan necropolis, of which quite a lot can still be visited. The most impressive one is the Tomba Ildebranda, one of the biggest Etruscan tomb constructions of them all. Close by the road to San Martino sul Fiora, directly underneath the Fiora River bridge, is a small but nice bathing place. (7 km) |
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Sorano |
Situated in a wild landscape, Sorano is a beautiful little town where you can walk around or just have a coffee. Overlooking the town is a huge castle. You can visit its ramparts while taking part in a subterranean walk. There is also a museum in the castle. The whole south end of Sorano had been vacated until recently, as the tuff rock had started giving way and the first houses had already crashed down into the valley. In the meantime the rock has been stabilised and the disused dwellings above are ready to be reconstructed. |
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 Sorano |
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| a bit further away... | |||||
Vitozza |
Directly behind the village San Quirico, not far from Sorano, you can visit the impressive remains of a deserted town with castle ruins and lots of caves where people once lived. |
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Castro |
Castro is another city in ruins. Inhabited from Etruscan till mediaeval times, it was flattened by papal troops in 1649. It's not that often that an expression can be used with such truth! Now Castro is a romantic, grown over field of ruins in a forest. |
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Montemerano |
One of the nicest places around, small and sleepy, with a wonderful bar right outside the old town, a charming little Piazza above and a wonderful mediaeval painting is worth looking at in the church of San Giorgio: "Madonna della Gattailola". There is a hole in the bottom of the picture, because of a different usage: the propriator cut a cat's hole into it. |
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Monte Labbro |
A montain of 1193 metres height with a striking pyramid shape. If you're lazy you can drive your car almost to the peak and climb the last etres on natural steps. On the top you'll find the ruins of a tower and a chapel, built in the 19th century by a Christian social reformer together with his adepts. (30 km) |
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Monte Amiata |
With 1738 metres it's the highest montain around and protrudes over the surrounding landscape. On some days you can look North far past Siena and South almost to Rome. You can see the sea close by and the whole Apennine Chain In winter Monte Amiata is a favourite skiing centre. (40 km) |
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The Bolsena Lake |
With more that 13 kilometres diameter and 146 metres depth the Lago di Bolsena is Italyës largest volcanic lake. Below the town of Gradoli, in the direction of Bolsena are nice places to swim where you can get a good meal at a fair price. (20 km) |
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The Sea |
Take the road towards Manciano. It's about an hour by car to the coast. The shortest drive for swimming in the sea is to the southern land link of Monte Argentario island. They're long beaches with some nice bars. Right in the middle of the nearby lagoon is the nice town of Orbetello. You can visit the ruins of the antique town of Cosa situated a bit further to the south on a hill and surrounded by the elegant resort of Ansedonia. Further south are nice beaches right besides the Tagliata Etrusca, a Roman / Etruscan channel for supplying water that was partly cut through the rock. There you'll also find the Torre Puccini, where the famous composer used to work on some of his operas. (50 km) |
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Capalbio |
Close to Capalbio, a town overlooking the coast, is an impressive park, but from a different age than the one at Bomarzo: The Giardino dei Tarocchi (the Tarot Garden) is a creation of the French artist Niki de Saint Phalle. It's a wonderful Pop-Art-Environment. (55 km) Giardino dei Tarocchi. (55 km) |
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Saturnia |
A nice little place and in Roman and Etruscan times an important centre. Close by the road between Montemerano and Saturnia are the famous hot waterfalls. The temperature of the sulphuric water is 37.5 ° (after bathing your skin has a strange smell to it and your silver jewelry has turned black). It's fantastic! - Just drive there by car and relax in the hot water, and for free! A bit further up the river is the source with a proper spa and pool that isn't that cheap, but has an attractive set-up. (27 km) |
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Vulci |
The Roman / Etruscan town lies to the south of Pitigliano not far from the sea. Starting point for a visit is the Ponte D'Abbadia, a daring arched bridge next to a mediaeval castle used as an Etruscan museum. (50 km) |
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Viterbo |
A relativly big city with many possibilities during a visit. On the road between Viterbo and Montefiascone are some useful supermarkets for shopping. (60 km) |
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Orvieto |
An old city with an impressive cathedral (inside are the recently restored famous frescoes by Lucca Signorelli) and other attractions. (50 km) |
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Bomarzo |
Here you can visit the Parco dei Mostri (Park of Monsters), loved by Dali. It has lots of statues and other objects, carved out of the rock in mannerist style, such as monsters, animals, even war elephants and fighting gods. The most thrilling thing is a slanted house that makes you dizzy inside. (60 km) |
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Rom |
By car about 2,5 hours, either via Valentano and Tuscania and then along the Via Cassia or along the coast on the Via Aurelia. There's also a complicated bus link from Pitigliano to Rome via Viterbo. In Rome there are quite a lot of cheap hotels and guest houses near the main station. Next to the station are a bus terminal and an underground station. From here you can easily reach everything in Rome. The historic centre which s quite small is in walking distance. (130 km) |
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| Roman traces near Pitigliano | |||||
| Jewish Culture in Pitigliano | |||||
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