Pitigliano is the town of the noble Orsini Family
From Bolsena you can drive by car in Gradoli direction, to Latera and take the road to Pitigliano through the beautiful green hills of Toscana.
Pitigliano is an imposing medieval town
All of a sudden, on the other side of the road, up on the hill, an imposing old town unfolds in front of you. With amazing medieval buildings, houses, church with tower and viaduct, perfectly preserved through time. Pitigliano raises on the cliffs in front of you and astonishes you with its surreal beauty. Especially in the evening, when is embellished by many lights, the town front enchants you with its magic and beauty.
Pitigliano is the town of the noble Orsini Family
Pitigliano was built on tufa rocks and hosts the carvings made by Etruscans in the tufa to keep their grains there. There are Etruscan traces all over the place in this amazing town, rich in history and culture.
Pitigliano is the town of the noble Orsini Family, one of the most proeminent families in Italy in the Middle Ages.
The landmark of Pitigliano is Orsini Palace, where Orsini aristocratic family lived. The beautiful palace dominates the central square and the surrounding hills with its imposing figure and amazing architecture.
The Counts Aldobrandeschi di Sovana started the building of the palace-fortress of Pitigliano in XII century. The palace passed to Orsini Family in 1313 through the marriage of Anastasia, the daughter of Margherita Aldobrandeschi with Romano.
Pitigliano is the town of the noble Orsini Family that ruled it for many centuries starting with 10th century. They gave Italy 5 popes, 30 cardinals, 62 senators, 100 generals, politicians and saints.
Orsini Family made an alliance with the famous aristocratic Farnese Family in 1519. At that time, the son of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese (the future Pope Paul III) married Girolama Orsini di Pitigliano.
The Orsini Palace has a solar clock that is still working and is a museum. You can visit the museum to learn more about the history of Pitigliano.
Pitigliano old town takes you back in medieval times
Pitigliano old town is mainly pedestrian and you can have a walk and admire the medieval structure of the town. The imposing structure goes down from the viaduct to the valley below. It houses many enchanting medieval houses of the people that actually live there today.
From the entrance gate of the old town you can walk to the Theatre Square and along the viaduct to the Palace Orsini. The Palace Square has beautiful old fountains and many enchanting terraces and that offer an amazing view over the green valley below.
Walking from Palace Orsini straight ahead, on the left side you will find an Etruscan Archeological Site. On the right side there is a street with lovely boutiques where you can taste and shop for typical products of the region. Here you can also buy books, souvenirs, paintings and clothes.
Walking on this street you get to a beautiful square where you can admire the imposing Church with bell tower of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. You can visit the church free of charge during visiting hours.
In this square I recommend you to have lunch or dinner on the terrace of the exquisite restaurant Il Cognilio. The restaurant serves delicious typical dishes including the famous Bistecca Fiorentina (Florentine steak) and an exquisite rabbit dish.
If you walk further on this medieval street you can reach the end of Pitigliano old town. You can admire the view from all the amazing terraces and spots that this mysterious place has to offer you.
