It is one of those places that leave you speechless or, if we want to put it as it is used today ... WOW! Practically excavated in the tuff rock of volcanic origin, the village is erected on a suggestive promontory which gives the urban profile of Pitigliano a rare and unique beauty. The village is also part of an area known as the "tuff villages", located near the border between Tuscany and Lazio. Its location, therefore, makes Pitigliano a perfect base for discovering the wonders of both regions, a perfect visiting card of what awaits you in the splendid Tuscia of Viterbo. A sweet territory, full of history and with little traffic. Here the speed of the bicycle is perfect for visiting the many places that we find along our route. If you are a wine lover, come in September. The winemaking tradition of this area is celebrated in a special event called SETTEMBREDIVINO, during which the doors of the cellars are opened, also dug into the tuff of the steep promontories of Pitigliano. The winemaking tradition of this area is based on the Tuscan variety of white grapes (Trebbiano Toscano). Bianco di Pitigliano is a still wine with floral and mineral notes. There are also several reds to try, among which the most famous are certainly Morellino di Scansano or Sovana DOC. We were on our bikes, but luckily the van that assisted us had space and we loaded a few cases of wine! But not just wine… in Pitigliano you will find other specialties such as “evictions”, a biscuit in the shape of a curved stick that we tasted at the bakery in the ghetto near the synagogue. Do not stop at the first squares or the initial streets, visit the whole village with the necessary calm, otherwise you risk not finding the Jewish ghetto and not understanding its influence. Writing about Pitigliano in a post is impossible! For those who want to learn more, follow the reading or search the internet, you will discover a unique territory! #gsavis #gsavismontevarchi #settepontiroadbiker #pitigliano #biancodipitigliano #settembredivino #borghideltufo
TUSCIA TOUR, FIRST STOP MONTEVARCHI-PITIGLIANO. We return once again by bike to Pitigliano. Departure from Montevarchi (Ar) for this village in the southern Maremma dug into the tuff. 140 kilometres, a fairly demanding difference in altitude for over 1700 metres. But if you do everything with the average cycling tour and in good company... you arrive without even noticing it after passing several promontories, in an area with very green valleys crossed by small rivers. Every time you arrive it's a show. The shape of the town, designed by the tufa houses built vertically on the overhang, make its view always exciting. According to an ancient legend, the foundation of the city is due to two Romans: Petilio and Celiano; Pitigliano would have derived from the fusion of their names.
It is easy to admire the magic and charm of Pitigliano walking through the ancient alleys and, above all, visiting the famous Jewish ghetto. It is possible to visit the Museum of Jewish Culture, the Synagogue as well as access through a suggestive path to the oven where unleavened bread was cooked, to the cellar dug into the tuff where kosher wine was produced, to the butcher shop, to the purification bath for women and at the dry cleaners.
Wealth is also in wine production. In fact, the vineyards of this area, fertilized by volcanic tuff, produce one of the finest Italian white wines: the Bianco di Pitigliano. And here, since we're talking about cycle tourism, a few small experiences to share: dinner and overnight. No particular advertising, but just to say that we had a good dinner, outdoors in the square, at the Osteria I GAZZILLORO, and the experience of staying overnight inside the walls at the BeB IL TUFO ROSA was pleasant. A thank you and a warm greeting to the AVIS friends of Pitigliano who kept us company during the dinner including their President Francesco Corti.