Sorano, Sovana and Pitigliano: Etruscan Villages Suspended Between Tufa and History

In the heart of the Maremma in the province of Grosseto, nestled among the folds of a wild landscape of woodland and rocky outcrops, lie three villages that seem to have stepped straight out of a fairytale: Sovana, Sorano and Pitigliano. United by the tufa stone that shapes their identity, these towns embody the most authentic soul of ancient Tuscia, guardians of an Etruscan, medieval and Renaissance heritage that can be felt at every step.

After a silent night spent within the walls of the Convent, setting out to discover these tufa villages is an almost mystical experience. In just over half an hour drive you can reach one of them, travelling along scenic roads flanked by vineyards, dense shady vegetation, and ancient pathways carved into the rock.

Sorano

Perched on a tufa outcrop, it seems to have been sculpted by nature itself. Its houses appear to grow out of the rock, and the village rises vertically in a cascade of steep alleys, arches and stairways. Known as the “Matera of Tuscany”, it has a character all its own—more shadowed, more secretive.

Once fortified and impregnable, today Sorano captivates visitors with its winding lanes, tufa-carved cellars, and the imposing Orsini Fortress that dominates the entire village. Not to be missed is the Masso Leopoldino, a panoramic terrace from which the gaze sweeps across the entire valley below. Here too you’ll find the Vie Cave, connecting the village to the countryside in a series of atmospheric routes blending nature and archaeology.

Sovana

Compact and with a perfectly preserved historic centre, Sovana is the smallest of the three, yet it is ideal for a peaceful stroll through its medieval lanes. Once an important Etruscan settlement and later a bishop’s seat, Sovana has preserved its timeless beauty. Amid stone houses and tranquillity, you come to the splendid Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, a Romanesque jewel. On the edge of the village lies the Città del Tufo Archaeological Park, home to the celebrated Vie Cave—atmospheric routes cut into the rock by the Etruscans, linking the necropolis to the village and offering an unmissable experience for anyone who loves to walk through history. It is a place that lingers in the heart of all who encounter it.

Sovana is also the birthplace of Hildebrand of Sovana, who became Pope Gregory VII, a central figure in the history of the Church. A statue in his honour stands at the entrance to the village, as if to watch over this corner of the Maremma.

Pitigliano

Perhaps the most famous of the three, Pitigliano’s unmistakable profile commands the valley of the River Lente. The view from a distance is breathtaking: it looks like a cathedral carved into the rock—part natural wonder, part human masterpiece. The historic centre is a labyrinth of alleys, arches and stairways, where every corner tells a story.

Pitigliano is also known as “Little Jerusalem” for its historic Jewish community. The Jewish quarter, with its synagogue, matzo oven, and evocative ghetto carved into the tufa, is a unique example of integration and remembrance.

Sorano, Sovana and Pitigliano are far more than picture-perfect villages. They are fragments of a land that invites slowness, listening, and wonder. Here you walk through millennia, between tufa walls and woods, tasting wines and dishes that speak of the soil itself. A journey that stays within you, like the warm light of sunset. Whether for a weekend, a wedding, or a retreat into nature, these places speak directly to the heart. And the Convent, with its welcoming spirit, is the perfect starting point from which to hear them.