Pitigliano

The most fascinating village in the Maremma

IN THE HEART OF THE TUFF AREA LIES THE TOWN OF PITIGLIANO. A MEDIEVAL VILLAGE OF RARE BEAUTY, FASCINATING AND STANDING ON AN IMPOSING TUFA CLIFF SURROUNDED BY VALLEYS AND THREE RIVERS.

Despite the medieval origins of the village, the history of Pitigliano began much earlier, with traces of civilizations dating back to the Bronze Age and Neolithic. Pitigliano also has an important Etruscan history and reached its maximum splendor in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Another important characteristic that has made the town famous is the presence of a large Jewish community (since the end of the 1400s) which is why Pitigliano is also known as “The Little Jerusalem”. Food and wine well represented by numerous venues and events of various kinds located throughout the year mean that much of the history that made Pitigliano famous in the past has also reached the present day. The historic center seen from the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie represents that natural postcard that has made Pitigliano famous throughout the world.

Walking through the historic center among the ancient streets and small alleys means making a real and a journey through time where you can admire and touch all the historical eras that characterize the country. The Medici aqueduct, the grandeur of Palazzo Orsini on Piazza della Repubblica, the Cathedral dedicated to Saint Peter and Paul, the ancient Church of San Rocco… these are just some of the monuments and points of interest that can be found in the ancient village, composed of three main streets connected by dozens and dozens of small alleys. The main street is Via Roma (the Corso) which goes straight to Piazza San Gregorio VII where the cathedral is located. The street on the left side is Via Zuccarelli (The Ghetto) and here we find the entire Jewish part of Little Jerusalem, testimony to the community that inhabited the town. The third street is Via Vignoli (La Fratta).

In Pitigliano there are also several museums in addition to the one dedicated to the Jewish community. Two are located in the structure of Palazzo Orsini, the Diocesan and Sacred Art one which allows you to visit the rooms of the castle and the Archaeological one in which you can find objects and finds of the Etruscan influence of this area. Another museum that is worth a visit is the open-air one dedicated to Alberto Manzi which is located just outside the town centre, about three kilometers away. Inside there is a via cava (that of the Gradone) and the necropolis of San Giovanni.

What to see in Pitigliano

THE JEWISH GHETTO

Pitigliano hosted the Jews perhaps since the end of the fifteenth century and it became an important center of refuge for them in central Italy, so much so that a Temple was built in 1598.

The Ghetto is made up of a main street (Via Zuccarelli) and a series of streets, alleys and small squares in the historic center where the social, cultural and religious life of the Jews took place. In Pitigliano, the only heir of the “cities of refuge” in the area, the favorable conditions preserved for centuries made it possible for the development of exceptional relationships of coexistence and tolerance between the Jewish and Christian populations, so much so that the citizenship was designated as the “Little Jerusalem ”. Although the Jews are today reduced to a few units, that ancient relationship continues in other forms; from the restoration and conservation of Jewish monuments such as the Synagogue, the oven of unleavened bread, the ritual bath and the Jewish museum (all open to visitors) to the choice to produce kosher wine in the Cooperative Cellar of Pitigliano, to the foundation of the “La Piccola Gerusalemme” Association, which aims to promote initiatives for the valorisation of the history of Pitigliano. Outside the town there is also the Jewish cemetery.

The Vie Cave

This is one of the unique characteristics of the tuff cities, also present in Sorano and Sovana. Pitigliano is surrounded by numerous vie cave, ancient Etruscan roads made up of deep paths created by cutting the tufaceous rock.

Some are over a kilometer in length, with walls up to 20 meters high. Often the via caves intersect Etruscan necropolises. The main ones are that of the Gradone (where the open-air Archaeological Museum “Parco Alberto Manzi” has been set up), of S.Giuseppe, of Fratenuti, of the Madonna delle Grazie. “The route of the vie cave” was recently created, a tour with departure and arrival from the town center which winds for several kilometers around the town and which allows you to visit these fascinating routes in a single time (only the Manzi park remains outside which can be visited separately).