イスキア・ディ・カストロの天然記念物・トップ14

Ancient fountain dug into the tuff where you can drink fresh spring water.

Through a very narrow, high gorge (can be damp in spring), you finally reach this oratory via steps.

The exhibition grounds are definitely worth a visit and can be easily combined with a circular hike from Sovana.

You can also visit the excavations on a circular hike from Sorana. The €7.00 is definitely worth it for this very interesting site.

The rupestrian (cave) oratory is located at the top of the San Sebastiano via cava and consists of two irregular rooms, the walls of the chambers were engraved with many Latin crosses, including one on a small mountain that probably represents Golgotha. The oratory was almost certainly realized by using one of the many existing archaic tombs in the upper part of the via Cava, many of which are still visible. In fact, it was common for the monks and Christian hermits of the Middle Ages to take advantage of the remote location of these environments to reach the small places of worship suitable for prayer and meditation. From the various openings in the oratory you can see the wall of the via Cava and the remains of some Etruscan tombs looted in ancient times.

The Olm Fountain is an ancient and original fountain carved out of tuff stone, located in the central section of the main road connecting Pitigliano and Sovana. The characteristic of this natural spring, in addition to its remarkable size, is the head of Silenus or mask from which the water gushes, which reminds us of ancient representations. The groundwater source provides water supply all year round and is a resting and cooling point for travelers and animals. The long basins give the artifact the typical characteristics of the Tuscan fountain. Today this pleasant place is a destination for many visitors who take the opportunity to stop or even have a snack and rest before tackling the rest of the route. To avoid looting, the original Silenus Head is kept in Pitigliano in the Civic Archaeological Museum of the Etruscan Civilization.

The Città del Tufo archaeological park opened its doors in 1998 with the aim of preserving and promoting the precious historical and cultural heritage of the tuff area. The surrounding area is enriched by monumental tombs, among which the famous Ildebranda tomb stands out, an Etruscan masterpiece carved from an imposing block of tuff to imitate the appearance of a temple from the Hellenistic age. Other fascinating tombs include the Pola tomb, those of the Typhoon, of the Winged Demons and of the Siren. The magical atmosphere of the place is further enriched by the presence of suggestive hollow streets, with the Via Cava di San Sebastiano, squeezed between walls of over 20 meters, the Via Cava di Poggio Prisca and the Cavone, on whose walls you can admire engravings from different eras, including crosses with exorcistic purposes and a large swastika, a solar symbol.

If you want to get a glimpse of the chocolate side of Pitigliano on foot, you have to walk through the Cava di Madona to the other side of the valley. The cava itself is a special experience. When wet, the stone is sometimes quite slippery. Appropriate footwear is then recommended.