“Città del Tufo” Archaeological Park
Among Etruscan Necropolises and Vie Cave from Sovana to Sorano
The Archeological Park “Città del Tufo” (City of Tuff), inaugurated in 1998, highlights the historical and cultural heritage of the territories of Sovana, Sorano and Vitozza, the so-called tuff areas: a landscape that has remained unaltered throughout history, characterized by the volcanic rock that lends its name to the Park.
The most important evidence certainly relates to the Etruscan period; however, important buildings from the late ancient and medieval periods, such as castles, religious places, fortifications and rock dwellings, are also part of the Park.
An area frequented by man since prehistoric times and which has returned numerous Etruscan finds: in Sovana we find the monumental area of the Archaeological Park. Here, through paths in the dense vegetation of the Mediterranean scrub, it is possible to reach the monumental tombs, including that of Ildebranda, the Tomb of the Siren and the Tomb of the Winged Demons, on whose pediment stands out an imposing sea demon.
Between Sovana and Sorano, worth a visit are the Vie Cave, pathways excavated in the open in the tuff hills by the Etruscans: a one-of-a-kind heritage whose true purpose remains a mystery even today. In the necropolis of Sovana, the via cava of San Sebastiano is not to be missed, with walls reaching as high as 20 meters, as well as the Cavone.
In Sorano, you’ll find the cave settlement of San Rocco, which takes its name from the local small church dedicated to the saint and where you can visit several spaces carved into the tuff: tombs, columbaria, cave dwellings. This is where a via cava begins, leading to the valley of the Lente River and which boasts a stunning view of Sorano.
The Archeological Park is completed by the Vitozza area, around San Quirico, one of the most important medieval rock settlements in Italy, which developed on a tufaceous spur over the Lente valley and was abandoned in the 15th century. During this period, the Orsini Counts had an estate built in San Quirico with a number of farms, along with towers with defensive functions.
