Visit Sorano’s Historic Centre

A remarkable tufa village in the heart of the Tuscan Maremma. Explore its ancient stone alleys, Etruscan Vie Cave, the imposing Orsini Fortress and centuries of history surrounded by the landscapes of Southern Tuscany.

One of the Città del Tufo

Known as the “Matera of Tuscany”, Sorano is one of the three ancient towns of the Città del Tufo, together with Pitigliano and Sovana. Built dramatically into volcanic tufa rock, the village is a maze of stone alleys, ancient buildings and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the surrounding Maremma landscape.

The Historic Centre

Explore the historic centre of Sorano, one of the most distinctive tufa towns in Southern Tuscany. Walk through narrow stone alleys, ancient arches and hidden squares, discovering panoramic viewpoints and centuries-old buildings carved into the volcanic rock.

Fortezza Orsini

Dominating Sorano from above, the Fortezza Orsini is one of the most impressive fortifications in the Tuscan Maremma. Built and expanded by the powerful Orsini family, the fortress played a central role in the defence of this strategic tufa town for centuries.

Its imposing walls, underground passages and defensive structures reveal Sorano’s medieval and Renaissance past, while its elevated position offers striking views across the village and the surrounding landscape of Southern Tuscany.

Masso Leopoldino

Rising above the heart of Sorano, the Masso Leopoldino is one of the village’s most distinctive landmarks. Originally developed as part of Sorano’s defensive system, the massive tufa outcrop was reshaped during the 19th century and today forms an extraordinary natural terrace overlooking the old town. Climb to the top to enjoy one of the best panoramic views of Sorano, with its stone houses, narrow alleys and the Fortezza Orsini framed by the wooded hills of the Tuscan Maremma. It is one of the most memorable viewpoints for anyone exploring the Città del Tufo.

The Etruscan Vie Cave

Once used to connect settlements and necropolises across the Città del Tufo, these mysterious routes can still be explored today. The network around Sorano offers fascinating itineraries for walking and hiking, while the surrounding trails also provide opportunities to discover the landscape by bicycle or on horseback. Exploring the Vie Cave is a unique way to experience the area’s Etruscan heritage, archaeology and unspoiled nature at a slower pace.

Archaeological Park “Città del Tufo”

The Archaeological Park “Città del Tufo” preserves some of the most remarkable traces of Etruscan civilisation around Sorano and Sovana. Its archaeological landscape includes ancient necropolises, monumental rock-cut tombs and paths carved deep into the volcanic tufa, revealing a territory shaped by people for more than two thousand years. Among its best-known sites are the spectacular Tomba Ildebranda and the Tomba dei Demoni Alati near Sovana, together with other Etruscan tombs and necropolises connected by trails through woodland and tufa cliffs. Exploring the park combines archaeology, nature and walking, and is one of the essential experiences for discovering the ancient origins of the Città del Tufo in Southern Tuscany.

Vitozza – The Lost City

Hidden in the countryside near Sorano, Vitozza is one of the most fascinating rock settlements in Tuscany. Often described as a “lost city”, the archaeological site developed around a medieval settlement built above an even older landscape of caves and rock-cut structures carved directly into the tufa.

Walking through Vitozza, visitors can discover the remains of ancient fortifications, ruined churches and dozens of caves once used as homes, shelters and agricultural spaces. Trails wind through woodland and along the tufa cliffs, creating an unusual combination of archaeology, medieval history and nature.

Vitozza – The Lost City

The ruins of the two fortresses, known as Primo Castello and Secondo Castello, together with the remains of the Chiesaccia and the extensive cave settlement, make Vitozza one of the most unusual places to visit around Sorano and an essential stop for travellers exploring the Città del Tufo and Southern Tuscany.Walking through Vitozza, visitors can discover the remains of ancient fortifications, ruined churches and dozens of caves once used as homes, shelters and agricultural spaces. Trails wind through woodland and along the tufa cliffs, creating an unusual combination of archaeology, medieval history and nature.

Churches & Ancient Gates of Sorano

Sorano’s historic centre preserves churches, gateways and religious buildings that reveal another side of the town’s long history. The Collegiata di San Niccolò, in the heart of the village, is one of Sorano’s principal churches and has been transformed several times over the centuries.

Ancient entrances such as Porta di Sopra and Porta dei Merli once formed part of Sorano’s defensive system. Walking between these landmarks reveals stone passages, small squares and architectural details that make the old town itself one of the most rewarding things to see in Sorano.

The Jewish Quarter of Sorano

Sorano was once home to a small but important Jewish community, whose presence left traces in the heart of the old town. The former Jewish quarter, traditionally known as the Ghetto, developed around Via del Ghetto and remains part of the layered history of the village.

Walking through this part of Sorano reveals another chapter of life in the Città del Tufo, beyond its Etruscan and medieval heritage. Narrow passages, stone houses and the remains associated with the former Jewish community add another dimension to exploring Sorano’s historic centre.

Visit Sorano and discover the timeless beauty of the Città del Tufo.

Experience Sorano from within its ancient stone alleys and discover the wonders of the Città del Tufo with Vicolo di Sorano as your base.