Dopo il post su Bomarzo, ospitiamo nuovamente Cheryl Alexander, che oggi ci conduce nella Maremma Toscana a Sorano, Sovana e Pitigliano…in english…buona lettura!!
Another typcal day of my tours, we drive to the three towns on the ancient Etruscan trail, Sorano, Sovana and Pitigliano. These lovely little towns are connected by a 3000 year old trail hidden in the valleys below them. Both Sovana and Pitigliano sit high on their somewhat crumbling hilltops, reminding us of their need for protection. For travelers who enjoy hiking, we are happy to arrange such activities.
Sorano which was once a fortess, on a flat small property, no longer protected by its fallen walls. The length of it is not more than 6 or 8 blocks but it has an elegant old cathedral, very plain and unadorned as well as a small church with an exquisite alter piece unlike any other I’ve seen. This alter is plain and rustic and simple which sets it apart from most of the carved, polished alters we find throughout Italy. If one wanders to the farthest spot on the path through town you’ll discover the most enchanting, stark church from 1000 years ago. And you’re likely to be the only visitors!
Pitigliano is a charming little place with much to offer. We were surprised by some of its wide, tree lined streets, being a hill town where space is usually more preserved. One of the special features here is the old Jewish Ghetto which has been restored for tourism. There are only three Jews left in this town which once made room for its Jews (said to be the first ghetto in Italy) in an underground setting given to them by a member of the Medici family. The cave shops underground are amazing to see along with the pictures of workers baking bread, slaughtering meats and generally going about their business in one of the few towns willing to share their culture with this group. The city voted not long ago to completely restore the synagogue at their own expense. Preserving the ghetto by making it into a museum lends a special note to this period in history.
