A Tuscan Gem: The Town Of Pitigliano
There is certainly no shortage of beautiful hill-top towns that pepper the Tuscan countryside. From sea, to mountains, there is something for everyone here and we are so proud to be from such a fruitful and wonderful corner of Italy. Since we like to feature particular places around our ‘bella toscana’ one highly recommended spot is three hours away from us in Vicchio, the lovely rock-carved Medieval town of Pitigliano in the southern area of the region. Arriving to the town is exciting in itself, one look at this place carved into the side of a cliff would take anyone’s breath away.
The area was said to have been inhabited in the Etruscan period, and later was under the control in the 13th century by the Aldobrandeschi family then passing to the Orsini’s which sparked a long-term war with the city of Siena. After, it was part of the Grand-duchy’s territory and the later kingdom of Italy. Since it was on the border on the papal states it also unwittingly became a place known for a ‘little Jerusalem’ with many Jewish settlers making Pitigliano their home.
While it is a small town, there is plenty to see, with the highlight’s being the medieval center of the city, the ancient Jewish quarter that has been populated since the 16th century, and the Etruscan sites of Maremma. Other notable sites include the 14th century fortress of Palazzo Orsini, the 16th century aqueduct across via cavour, the Church of San Rocco, the 16th century baroque church The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul and Piazza becherini for panoramic views.
Local To The Area
There is a local white wine here, a crisp white ‘Bianco di Pitigliano’ that thrive in the interesting ‘tufa’ soul that is characteristic in the area. Have lunch at Ceccottino Hostaria for a taste of local food and wine made in the area.
How To Get There
While there is no train stations in Pitigliano, you can arrive by bus from the surrounding towns of Siena, Florence and Grosseto, though it is recommended to arrive by car.
Best Time To Go
The best time to go (to us) is during the ‘Infiorita’ festival when the town is covered with carpets of flowers laid down by locals, it occurs for the festival surroundung Corpus Domini (Corpus Christi), held around nine weeks after Easter.
Nearby Visits
We also highly recommend a visit to the nearby towns of Sorano, Sovana, and Saturnia (which has a wonderful natural hot springs).
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