Sovana - Sovana, 8km north
of Pitigliano, is now a village with little more than a single
street running from the castle ruins to the cathedral.
It is in a beautiful position on a
ridge overlooking a wide panorama. It is traditionally reputed
to be the birthplace of Hildebrand, later Pope Gregory VII
(1026/8-85).
An important Etruscan settlement and
later a Roman municipium, Sovana became a bishopric in the
5C. Its period of greatest importance was in the 13C when
it was the seat of the Sovana branch of the Aldobrandeschi
family after it had separated from the Santa Fiora branch.
It then passed under the Orsini and was conquered by Siena
in 1410.
Attempts to repopulate the village
under subsequent Medici rule were doomed on account of malaria.
At the entrance to the village are the impressive ruins of
the Aldobrandeschi castle (13C-14C) and remains of the Etruscan
walls. Facing onto the small brick piazza is the former Palazzo
del Comune, dating from the 12C with a clock and bell-cot,
which has been the local archive since the 17C.
To the right is the Palazzo Pretorio,
which was largely rebuilt by Siena in the 15C and has nine
coats of arms of the Sienese governors on the facade. On the
adjacent Loggia del Capitano is a large Medici coat of arms
carved in marble. On the opposite side of the piazza is the
church of Santa Maria Maggiore.
At the end of the village, in a stone-flagged
piazza surrounded by cypresses, is the Romanesque cathedral
of Santi Pietro e Paolo. The original church was probably
begun during the papacy of Gregory VII, but its present structure
is thought to date from the 12C-13C.
Where is Sovana: is located in the west of Grosseto
province, on the border with the Lazio region.
How to reach Sovana: From Grosseto, direction south,
reach Albinia (35 Km) and then turn left direction Manciano
(30 Km) then Pitigliano (18 Km). After Pitigliano you will
find the sign for Sovana which is 8 km far
Nearby: Visit Sorano, Pitigliano, Manciano
Distances: Grosseto 88 Km - Siena 115 Km (Via Cassia)
- Florence 200 Km - Pisa 220 Km - Arezzo 150 Km
Correct name is Sovana
Common mistakes are Solana, Soana, Suvana, Solvana,
Zovana
|
Sovana
- Grosseto - Tuscany Italy
Sovana 
