Sovana is a charming village in the municipality of Sorano, in the heart of the Tufo Area. The town is a half-hour drive from our property and is a must-visit on an itinerary to discover this land.
Sovana has Etruscan-Roman origins, although the inhabited center as we know it today only emerged in medieval times, as evidenced by its unmistakable architectural style. Over the centuries, it was under the dominion of the Aldobrandeschi family, the Orsini counts, the Republic of Siena, and finally the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. The village is also famous for being the birthplace of Ildebrando di Sovana, who went down in history as Pope Gregory VII.
Rich in monuments, the town of Sovana is an ideal destination for history and art lovers. By visiting its historic center, you can admire ancient buildings of great value, such as the Cathedral dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, the Archivio Palace, and the Paleochristian church of San Mamiliano. Just outside the town on a cliff, you can still see the remains of the ancient Aldobrandeschi Fortress. In addition, in the Archaeological Area of Sovana, along with its “vie cave” (excavated roads), you can visit an Etruscan necropolis.
What to see:
Cathedral of Sovana or Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul
The cathedral of Sovana is located just outside the historic center of the village. The cathedral was built on an area where there was likely an Etruscan acropolis. The construction as we know it today took place between the 8th and 9th centuries. It is one of the most important Romanesque-Gothic style buildings in all of Tuscany. Inside, you can find Saint Mamiliano’s urn and some allegorical elements of great value, such as a baptismal font dating back to 1434, a travertine sarcophagus from the 15th century, some frescoes, and sculptural motifs representing symbols predating the Christian tradition. One of the most fascinating features of this church is its astronomical orientation. Every June 21st, during the summer solstice, the first morning ray hits the apse’s single window and crosses the entire nave, creating a play of lights of rare beauty. The same phenomenon occurs in the crypt.
Etruscan Necropolis of Sovana
The Necropolis of Sovana is an exceptional heritage left by the Etruscan people. It consists of numerous tombs, ranging from simple ones to actual monuments carved into the tuff rock, dating from the 7th to 1st century BC. The archaeological area is easily reached by leaving Sovana and taking the road towards San Martino sul Fiora. In this park surrounded by lush vegetation, several monumental tombs are preserved, such as the Tomb of the Siren, Tomb of Typhon, and Tomb of Ildebranda.
