Borgo dell’Area del Tufo, Pitigliano is one of the most characteristic towns of the Tuscan Maremma.
Also known by the nickname of “Little Jerusalem”, because during the 1500s it welcomed a large Jewish community that settled there and built its own neighborhood with shops and a Synagogue, Pitigliano is certainly worth a visit.
Already the first impact, before arriving in the village, has something magical, the village is in fact perched on a tuff cliff and seems to be suspended in the void, especially at night the effect is truly breathtaking.
Pitigliano has medieval origins, although the area was inhabited since the Etruscan-Roman era, as evidenced by the numerous archaeological areas.
Of great interest are the monuments of Pitigliano, among the main ones the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, the Church of San Rocco, the Medici Aqueduct, the Synagogue and Palazzo Orsini.
Of course, particular mention is made of the archaeological area of Pitigliano, with numerous Necropolis and the Vie Cave.
The main sacred building of Pitigliano, the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul dates back to the medieval period.
In 1561, Count Niccolò III Orsini ordered an impressive restoration, which determines its current appearance.
The interior of the Church houses some valuable works, including a nineteenth-century canvas depicting St. Paul from the Cross preaching, two statues depicting Faith and Charity, and an image of St. Peter in Gloria.
Also of note are two paintings by the Manchiano artist Pietro Aldi, depicting The Predestination of the Young Hildebrand and Henry IV in Canossa.
The Church of San Rocco is almost certainly one of the oldest in Pitigliano, its construction dates back to the XII-XIII century, it is located in the heart of the historic center of the town, and is one of its most beautiful attractions.
The current appearance of the church is due to the impressive restoration and reconstruction commissioned by Count Niccolò III Orsini, and built by Giovanni da Traù the Dalmatian, at the end of the 1400s.
In the locality of Poggio Strozzoni, the Church of San Francesco stands alongside a convent.
Dating back to 1522, the project for the construction is attributed to Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, the task was conferred directly by Gianfranco Orsini.
After a fire and some partial restorations, some impressive ruins remain of the original structure of the church.
Located just outside the town of Pitigliano, along the S.P. 74, the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie is a building dating back to the 15th century.
Originally built as a Franciscan convent, in the eighteenth century it lost its function of lodging for the friars but remained a point of reference for devotees to the Madonna delle Grazie.
The interior has a single nave, outside is the bell tower, with a square section.
Built starting in the 16th century, the Medici Aqueduct is a complex water supply system built by the Orsini family in Pitigliano.
The project was followed by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, due to the particularity of the area, however, the works lasted for over a century, in fact it was the Medici who finished the work, in 1639
The aqueduct was created to bring the water of the Lente, Meleta and Prochio streams to the inhabited center, entirely made of tuff, the aqueduct was perfectly incorporated into the walls.
Born as a convent, Palazzo Orsini was built between the 11th and 12th centuries.
Having become property of the Aldobrandeschi, it became their official residence starting from the second half of 1200, it was then inherited by the Orsini Counts.
The Orsini family ordered Antonio da Sangallo the Younger to implement a renovation project, which led the building to take on a Renaissance style.
The Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art and the Archaeological Museum are now housed inside the building.
All’interno del palazzo hanno oggi sede il Museo Diocesano di Arte Sacra ed il Museo Archeologico.
The territory of Pitigliano sees the presence of the famous Vie Cave.
The Vie Cave are the ancient communication routes that arose in the Etruscan era, streets entirely dug into the rock, like trenches, with walls almost 20 meters high.
The Vie Cave are today an unmissable attraction for lovers of history and nature, who will be able to experience the ancient Etruscan-Roman eras here and discover numerous animal and plant species that populate the area.
WHERE TO STAY IN PITIGLIANO: FARMHOUSE, b & amp; B, HOTEL, APARTMENTS
