MAREMMA INLAND

LA MAREMMA
Il Paesaggio che ci offre oggi , questa zona della toscana, non è molto diverso da quello che trovarono gli Etruschi
Ampie mensole di travertino ed i numerosi speroni di tufo che dominano le fertili vallate del Fiora e dell Albegna
I paesi sono caratterizzati da vicoli medievali, costeggiati da antichi palazzi, il mistero delle vie cave, meandri etruschi
scavati nella roccia, ricche necropoli ed insediamenti rupestri si alternano a estese foreste di macchia mediterranea ed
a famose sorgente di acqua termale. Il Paesggio è stato modellato dall erosione dei fiumi che hanno formato piatti tavolati
di travertino e colline dolci di conformazione calcarea e argillosa. Questo territorio è prettamente vulcanica con il Monte Amiata
e i Monti Volsinii il cui principale cratere è oggi individuabile nel Lago di Bolsena. La conseguenza di questa attività vulcanica ha creato il tufo; roccia calcarea molto friabile e porosa.
Questa porosità è anche responsabile della presenza di sorgenti ed acque termali nella zona


SOVANA -SORANO-SAN QUIRICO

SOVANA
Sovana was the Etruscan word for “green land”. The town was actually founded by the Etruscans in the 6th century BC. It was considered to be the most beautiful estate, because of its typical crags. Sovana did not fell under Roman control, even if many of its neighbours did. In the 4th century BC it became a bishop’s see. Then, under the Lombards, it became property of the Aldobrandeschi family. Saint Pope Gregory VII was born Hildebrand in Sovana in 1000. Since the Aldobrandeschi had control over many territories both along the coast andaround , Siena and Orvieto tried many times to drive out the enemy. Then Sovana went under the Orsini family, that caused its decay by declaring Sorano the main town. In 1783, LeopoldII (Leopoldo di Lorena) decided Sovana would no longer exist, and annexed it to Sorano. Today Sovana extends from the Rocca to the cathedral, the first being the symbol of the Aldobrandeschi family and the second being the symbol of the Church.
TheArcheological park “Città del Tufo” forms part of the municipality of Sorano and consists of many archeological, historical,
naturalistic sites, including sSorano , Sovana and Vitozza .
The most important Etruscan necropolis is to the north of the Calesine stream, where a pleasant stroll through the natural
woodlandswill bring you to the imposing pillared tombs of “ Ildebranda “ and “Pola”, the “Tifone” tomb and newly discovered“Demoni Alati” tomb. Closeby in the area known as Sopraripa are the remains of the “false cube”, “semi cube” and “cube” tombs as well as the “Sirena” tomb. Besides these burial monuments the park is home to some of the most impressive “Vie Cave”Hollow Roads, “Cavone”, “Poggio Prisca”and “San Sebastiano”

SORANO AND SAN ROCCO
SAN ROCCO
Is named after the small church built there which is dedicated to San Rocco. It is a large panoramic Tufo
terrace surrounded by woodlands. From here is possible to see the medieval town of Sorano which sits on top
of the deep gorge formed by the river Lente below.
SORANO
Two kilometers from San Rocco, Sorano's townscape is dominated by the imposing Orsini fortress, originally builT
by the Aldobrandeschi,
than later added to the Orsini Counts. The Castle includes a large central keep, and the 2 angled bastions of San Marco and San Pietro,
which are connnected by fortified walls and series of underground passages, still visitable today. In the central and oldest part of the Castle is the museum of the middle ages and renaissance, which also forms
a part of the guided tours.

SAN QUIRICO AND VITOZZA VITOZZA
Near to the village of San Quirico, Vitozza was a medieval settlement dating back to the 12th century, forming part
of a large fife of fifteen castles. Visitors can walk through the unspoilt woodlands to discover remains of castles,
churches and many other buildings . There are also many caves which were used as stables, storerooms and even
homes.