Pitigliano
Pitigliano, distant about 8 kilometers from the agriturismo, is for sure one of the most interesting and original towns in the sorroundings, resting over an enormous tufo promontory, with houses overlooking a steep cliff.
After you access the historical center passing through an ancient door, once defended by a drawbridge, you will see a sixteenth-century aqueduct whose arches delimit the road directing to Piazza della Repubblica, square characterized , on the left, by two terraces from where you can enjoy a gorgeous view of the underlying valley. On the right you will find Palazzo Orsini which houses an elegant courtyard with an hexagonal stone well, Museo Civico Archeologico, Museo della Civiltà Contadina and Museo Diocesano di Arte Sacra . Historical center, very characteristic, still retains its ancient medieval appearance and is structured around two principal roads linked with each other with a U-shape layout and is formed by narrow streets, alleys and small squares. The town subsoil is crossed by a net of tunnels and ancient caves. Surely noteworthy is the jewish neighborhood (so-called “Ghetto”) which warranted Pitigliano the name of “Little Jerusalem”, where it is possible to visit the Synagogue, the Museo del Patrimonio Ebraico and the Forno delle Azzime (Unleavened Bread Bakery). You can also visit Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral with its bell tower, the ancient Saint Rocco Church and in the surroundings the Museo Archeologico all’aperto “Alberto Manzi”, Gradone and Poggio Buco necropolises, Fonte dell’Olmo, Madonna delle Grazie Sanctuary, Jewish cemetery, Parco Orsini, remnants of Convento di San Francesco and Etruscan time “Vie Cave”.
Sorano
Sorano is about ten minutes distant from our structure, perched on a tufo cliff, surrounded by the deep Lente river valley. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, it then became an Etruscan stronghold. To visit absolutely: 12th century Orsini Fortress with its suggestive underground tunnels, remarkable perfectly preserved example of military engineering; Palazzo Comitale (XIII-XIV century); Masso Leopoldino, that is a natural tufa terrace located just in the town center, from which you will have a terrific view of the surrounding landscape; Porta dei Merli; the Jewish Ghetto and, finally, along the road to Sovana, San Rocco Necropolis. Just outside Sorano, going towards Pitigliano, you will see the Terme di Sorano, natural bathes with water rich of magnesium and calcium flowing out from the spring at a 37,5°C temperature. The complex has a SPA with qualified personnel dedicated to fulfilling customers requirements. At about 5 minutes by car from Sorano very close to San Quirico you will find one of the most important examples of medieval Archaeology in the Central Italy: ancient town of Vitozza. This center, little-known and now completely abandoned, is in fact surely considered the biggest settlement of cave-dwellings in the Central Italy, only second to the most famous “Sassi di Matera”. Vitozza urban fabric is made of more than 200 caves dug in the tufa rock that since the beginning of XII century were used as human habitations, shelters for animals and warehouses.
Sovana
At about 15 kilometers you will find Sovana, typical Etruscan town, located above a tufa rock which since ancient times ensured the town a valid defence . As you arrive you will immediately run into the massive Rocca Aldobrandesca, built approximately around year 1000 a.d. over pre-existing Etruscan structures.
In the main square you will have on the right Palazzo del Pretorio, decorated with carved family crests. Inside there are Museo Archeologico and Centro Documentale . Beside it there is Loggia del Capitano. Also overlooking the square you will see 13th century Palazzo dell’Archivio, once hosting the City Hall and Archive offices. On the left there are Santa Maria Church, with inside an ancient, rare, pre-romanic Ciborio, unique in all Tuscany. Then Palazzo dei Marchesi Bourbon del Monte and San Mamiliano Church’s walls, renowned among the most ancient buildings in Sovana.
Strolling through Sovana, at the end of the town there’s the cathedral, dedicated to saint Peter, considered the most important medieval monument, and Pope Gregorius VII’s childhood home.
All around Sovana there are several necropolises. Among the most important ones we remember Tomba Ildebranda, Tomba della Sirena, Tomba Pola, Tomba del Tifone, Tomba della Folonia, Tomba dei Colombari and Tomba del Sileno.
Saturnia
Saturnia is located at about 30 minutes from the structure and is famous all over the world for its natural bathes of sulfur water with curative and cosmetic properties. Water springs out in the thermal establishment with a 37°C temperature and fills several pools with waterfalls and water plays. Golf lovers will also find very close to the SPA the exclusive Golf Club Resort to participate in exciting golf tournaments. For those people who instead like better a natural environment where to bathe in the most absolute relax in close contact with nature, there are the “Cascate del mulino” with areas where it is possible to park and take a break; access is free and allowed in any season, even in the wintertime when bathing over there is a unique experience. In the small town of Saturnia advisable to visit the Rocca Senese, Porta Romana with its polygonal Etruscan walls and S. Maria Church. In the surroundings you will also find Necropolis “Pian di Palma”, the villanoviana necropolis of “Sede di San Carlo” and “Castello Aquarum” in Poggio Murella. Very close to saturnia we also recommend to visit the small village of Montemerano, a real jewell of art and architecture.
Lago di Bolsena
A few kilometers up you can reach Bolsena Lake, basin of volcanic origin, in the Volsini mountain chain, considered the biggest volcanic lake in Europe. It boasts a natural environment almost completely uncontaminated and is one of the few Italian lakes designated fully bathing water. In Bolsena lake there are two islands: Martana and Bisentina. A navigation service with departures from Bolsena and Capodimonte ports, makes it possible to circumnavigate them. Among several quaint towns overlooking Bolsena advisable visiting Capodimonte with its beautiful beach and Palazzo Farnese, Bolsena with several churches and the rock, Marta with its historical center and the Lungolago dei pescatori and Montefiascone.
Orvieto
Another interesting site is Orvieto, a town about 50 km distant from our structure, in Umbria. Orvieto is a very ancient town, full of charm and history, apart from being a vibrant center full of events. Orvieto’s origins date back Etruscan civilization: the first settlements in the IX Century B.C. were located inside the tufa caves dug in the rock where Orvieto lies. A lot of monuments makes this city unique and famous: the Pozzo di San Patrizio, the great Cathedral, Rocca Albornoz, Palazzo del Popolo. In particular the Cathedral is a masterpiece of gotic architecture; a number of sculptures and bas-relieves decorate the front making its vision wonderful and unique.
Monte Argentario
Not too far from Casale Scopetone (about 50 kilometers) you can visit the wonderful Argentario towns: Porto Santo Stefano, Porto Ercole, Orbetello, Talamone with their deep blue sea and their coves. Argentario promontory once was an island which as time went on turned to be connected to the mainland through the Giannella Tombolo and the Feniglia Tombolo. You will have several opportunities: spending a day at the seaside on Argentario rocks or choosing one of so many nearby beaches: Feniglia, Talamone, Ansedonia, Capalbio. At the slopes of Capalbio you can visit the Giardino dei Tarocchi where, in the middle of a spontaneous, mediterranean lush garden made with laurel, myrties shrubs, rosemary and oaks you will find big sculptures representing the Major Arcana of Tarots, made by French-American sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle in the 50s. In the summertime Argentario is connected to the beautiful Islands Giglio and Giannutri by many ferry-boats and seagoing services. Worthwhile visiting also the Convent of the Passionist Friars, the Porto Ercole Spanish Fortress and the Mediterranean Aquarium. For golf lovers it is also mandatory a visit at the exclusive Argentario Golf club, while polo lovers can visit Argentario Polo Club.
Monte Amiata
For mountain lovers, both because sky lovers in winter and because loving trekking and hiking in summer, at about one hour drive you will find monte Amiata, the main mountain in the region, whose peak reaches 1738 meters above sea level. Monte Amiata peak is organized for an excellent tourist accommodation service both in winter as a sky-resort and in summer. Along Monte Amiata slopes there are also several towns which offer many art and historical attractions, as Semproniano, Seggiano, Castel del Piano, Arcidosso, Cinigiano, Monticello Amiata, Abbadia San Salvatore and Piancastagnaio.