Sovana
An evocative village like few others,
a story to make many envious.
The small town of Sovana, a true gem of the Tuff Cities (Pitigliano-Sorano-Sovana) has in fact very ancient origins and by walking through its small streets paved with cobblestones, you can still breathe and touch much of the history and prestige of the past .
A city called “Suana” already existed in the Etruscan era, under the rule of the Roman Empire Sovana was raised to a municipality and obtained Roman citizenship. Starting from the 5th century, Sovana became an Episcopal seat.
The current town is characterized by the medieval style, and it is in fact in this period that the city experienced its maximum splendor and its greatest expansion, under the control of the Aldobrandeschi family. It was during the Middle Ages that the fortress was built and that, having become a free municipality, Sovana saw the birth of one of the most important historical figures, Ildebrando of Sovana, better known in the chronicles as Pope Gregory VII.
The village of Sovana
The village of Sovana is certainly unique and characteristic. The central point where everything develops is Piazza del Pretorio. Almost all the most important buildings of the village are located here: the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Church of San Mamiliano (now also a museum with part of the famous Treasure of Sovana inside), Palazzo Bourbon del Monte, Palazzo dell'Archivio, Praetorian Palace, the Captain's Loggia.
Continuing along the main street, not far from the aforementioned square we will pass in front of the house of Ildebrando di Sovana, Pope Gregory VII and at the end of this street we will find the Cathedral, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. This building has a very particular history, and is certainly the most important in the country. On the opposite side of the village, already visible from the road coming from Sorano/Pitigliano, is the Rocca Aldobrandesca.
Outside the town center the magic of Sovana continues in the Etruscan Necropolis, certainly the richest in the area with many tombs such as, among the most important, that of the Siren, the Hildebrand tomb, the Silenus tomb and the Typhoon tomb.
Another unique attraction of this area is the vie cave. Ancient streets carved into the tuff rock present only in the three Tuff Cities. In Sovana we highlight “Il Cavone” and the via cava of “San Sebastiano”. Both are located within the Sovana necropolis and are part of the large "Città del Tufo Archaeological Park".
Furthermore, which doesn't hurt, the streets of Sovana are also perfect for trying the local food and wine. Restaurants, wine bars and bars are present in large numbers and are ready to satisfy any type of palate with typical products of the tuff lands and the Maremma.
things not to be missed in Sovana
Church of Santa Maria
Archive Building
Praetorian Palace
The fortress
Cathedral
Città del Tufo Archaeological Park
how to get to Sovana
Sovana is located in the heart of the Tufo Area, in the municipality of Sorano, just a few minutes drive from Pitigliano. The town of Sovana is located just 2 hours from Rome, 4 hours from Naples, 2 and a half hours from Florence and 5 and a half hours from Milan. The car is the best way to get there, if you decide to arrive by train instead, the closest stations are those of Grosseto (approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes away), Albinia (approximately 55 minutes away), Orbetello (60 minutes away). distance approximately) and Montalto di Castro (approximately 60 minutes away), as regards flights, the reference airports are those of Rome Fiumicino (approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes away) and Pisa (approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes away) .
