Pitigliano and neighbouring towns

On the way here we stopped off at Todi  (instantly called Todi in the Holey)...another beautiful town high on a hill.

I am in awe of Italian parking skills!

once again far too many photo opps and steps/climbing

Pitigliano

This town became  a refuge for the Jewish community as they fled from Christian persecution in  Rome and Florence during  the 16th century until they were forcibly moved by the Nazis. 

Our  apartment is on the same vicolo(lane way) as the Synagogue and not far from the historic Jewish bakery and the Jewish museum..and as a sad reflection on our times..the Carabinieri are on guard outside our apartment every day.

As with many of the local towns, it is a hill top town built on top of and carved into  the Tufo (rock) and is of Etruscan origin.

The kitchen work bench in our apartment

our apartment vicolo entrance

streetscape

the water is drinkable

3 baths for???.animals/humans/what??

We also visited local towns Sovana and Sorano..although I'm struggling to recall which is which!  suffice it to say one was authentic looking  whereas the other was so beautified and touristy it resembled a cute Cotswold village...It was full of arty type shops making Etruscan style things.....mind you that opinion could well have been because we were so hot and jaded.....

Etruscan archway-the slots were for a drawbridge mechanism

natural indentations in the Tufo rock..enlarged by Etruscans..