Pitigliano
is an interesting city with an interesting history. The approach
to town is magnificent as the town sits high on a cliff surveying
the Lente Valley. The historical center has small winding streets
and alleys. As you enter the gate to the old town you’ll
come upon the Palazzo Orsini (14th century)
which is now the Museo Zuccarelli (with art work by Francesco
Zuccarelli, a local). The Orsini symbol was the bear
— you’ll see that in the square. The aqueduct
(with great views from either side of the square in Piazza
della Repubblica) was built in the 16th century.
The Baroque duomo is quite lovely. There are some fine
paintings inside. Note the size of the campanile here. As you
wander the streets further you’ll come upon the Jewish
ghetto. In the mid 1600s this town was a refuge and settlement
for Jews fleeing Catholic persecution. Sadly, today there are
very few Jews in town (single digits I am told). When I finally
found the synagogue, I was amazed at the difference in this
house of worship and the others I’d visited in Italy. It’s
bright, has almost no ornamentation — totally opposite
of the others. There’s a small Jewish museum here too.
Market day in Pitigliano is Wednesday.
Sovana
is an interesting little town with a lovely church and Etruscan
burial sights. The town has one main street (Via di Mezzo)
— do notice the paving of the streets (herringbone). Move
on to the Chiesa di Santa Maria (on Piazza del Pretorio),
a 13th century church with some great 16th
century frescoes. The Palazzo Pretorio is now
an Etruscan Museum. As you proceed past the church, you’ll
come upon the Romanesque duomo/Cattedrale di Santi Pietro
e Paolo (12th century) which was built upon the
remains and ruins of another church. The origins are 9th
century and the church on top was built in the 12th
century. You’ll see fine details in both (carvings, reliefs
and statuary). The burial sights are about 1 km outside of town.
They are clearly marked. Make sure you see the Tomba Ildebranda
and Tomba della Sirena.
Sorano
is also a tiny little medieval village with much charm. The
town is terraced and built into the rock (tufa) — or rather
perched in the rocks….The city still has its medieval walls.
The village has two imposing castles, the Fortezza Orsini
(16th century) and further up the hill the Sasso
Leopoldini. On the way out of town, stop at the Necropoli
di San Rocco (Etruscan burial sights).