Explore a hilltop village brimming with more than 2,000 years of history. See ancient churches and palaces, an 11th-century castle and a necropolis.
The small village of Sovana is an ancient hilltop settlement founded in the 7th century B.C. by the Etruscans. The pre-Roman village is a picturesque place with a medieval center, where there are fascinating old buildings at every turn. Visit structures that are almost 1,000 years old, see burial chambers and walk along roads that have been carved deep into the hills.
The village is easy to explore, consisting of one main thoroughfare and a few side streets. Start at Aldobrandesca Rocca, the castle that is located at one end of the main street. The fortress dates from the 11th century, although it stands on the foundations of an earlier structure. Continue walking along the main street to the Piazza del Pretoria where there are more historical buildings.
Study two frescoes from the 16th century inside the 14th-century Church of Santa Maria. See the 13th-century Palazzetto dell’Archivio and its clock and bell tower. Stop by the Praetorian Palace and the Bourbon del Monte Palace, built in the 16th century.
At the other end of Sovana’s main street is the old Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. Venture inside and walk through its stone crypt.
There are more ancient burial places at the Etruscan Necropolis of Sovana, situated a few minutes outside of the village. Here, you will see many carved-stone tombs that are more than 2,000 years old. Visit some of the burial chambers, including the Tomb of the Siren.
The area around Sovana encompasses a number of necropolises and ancient settlements, which are linked by narrow roads known as Vie Cave. Stroll along the canyon-like corridors that were cut into the rocks by the Etruscans.
The village of Sovana is situated in Maremma in southern Tuscany. Fly into RomeOpens in a new window, 100 miles (161 kilometers) away and complete the journey northwest by train or car.
A vacation in Sovana is filled with fascinating historical sights.
