Pitigliano: Tuscany's little Jerusalem
A town carved from red volcanic rock, perched on a cliff in the far south of Tuscany. Pitigliano appears out of nowhere and stays with you long after.
Pitigliano
Many drivers stop in the middle of the road to photograph the skyline as the town suddenly comes into view.
Pitigliano, a town built from the rock
Pitigliano is one of the most dramatic sights in Tuscany. The medieval town sits on a ridge of tufa, a soft volcanic stone, and its houses seem to grow straight out of the cliff. Approaching by road, you round a bend and suddenly the whole town is there, glowing red and gold in the late afternoon sun.
It lies in the province of Grosseto, in the Maremma area of southern Tuscany, well away from the busiest tourist routes. Read more about the region in our guide to Tuscany, or start planning with our guide to Italy holidays.
The old town
Welcome to the oldest part of Pitigliano, which has around 3,000 years of history behind it.
Why Pitigliano is called little Jerusalem
Around five centuries ago, Jewish families fleeing persecution in Rome and other parts of central Italy found refuge here. A thriving community grew up, with its own synagogue and kosher bakery, and Pitigliano became known as la piccola Gerusalemme, little Jerusalem.
The synagogue has been restored and can be visited as part of a small museum of Jewish life in the old town. It is a moving reminder of a community that shaped the town for centuries.
Things to do in Pitigliano
Get lost in the old town. Leave the car in the newer part of town and explore on foot. Narrow alleys, stairways and arches lead in every direction, and some houses date back to the Middle Ages.
Taste the local wine. The hills around Pitigliano produce the white Bianco di Pitigliano and red Sovana wines, and the local wine cooperative and small producers sell bottles across town.
Find the hidden park. Parco Orsini, nicknamed the park of the strangler, lies below the cliffs, with paths past waterfalls, caves and old monuments.
Walk the Etruscan sunken roads. The vie cave, deep pathways cut into the tufa by the Etruscans, wind through the countryside around Pitigliano and nearby Sovana.
Eat like a local. Menus are often in Italian only. Look for pici pasta with ragù and other hearty Tuscan dishes.
Our full story, Little Jerusalem: the red-hot rocky city in the heart of Tuscany, has more on the town's restaurants, wine and history.
Within the walls
From almost everywhere in town you can look out over the walls to waterfalls, the river valley and the vineyards beyond.
Day trips: Saturnia and Civita di Bagnoregio
Not far from Pitigliano, the hot springs of Saturnia pour warm, sulphurous water into natural pools that are free and open to everyone. Lake Bolsena, known for its clear water, is around half an hour away, and the beaches of the Maremma coast are about an hour by car.
About an hour to the east, just across the border in Lazio, lies Civita di Bagnoregio, the dying city on its crumbling pinnacle. The two towns make a perfect pair on a road trip.
Getting to Pitigliano
Pitigliano is about two hours by car from Rome, and a similar distance from Siena. There is no train station nearby, so the easiest option is to hire a car in Rome or Florence. The roads into town are narrow and winding, so park outside the historic centre.
When is the best time to visit Pitigliano?
Spring and autumn are ideal, with pleasant temperatures for walking and the countryside at its greenest or most golden. Autumn is also harvest time for grapes and olives.
Summer is warm and lively, and a good time to combine the town with Saturnia and the coast. Whatever the season, stay for the evening, when the setting sun lights up the cliffs.
Frequently asked questions about Pitigliano
Where is Pitigliano?
Pitigliano is in southern Tuscany, in the province of Grosseto, close to the border with Lazio. It lies roughly between Rome and Siena, around two hours by car from each, in the hilly Maremma countryside near Lake Bolsena and the hot springs of Saturnia.
Is Pitigliano worth visiting?
Yes. Pitigliano is one of the most photogenic towns in Tuscany and far less crowded than the better-known hill towns. Its Jewish history, tufa architecture, local wine and nearby hot springs make it worth at least half a day, and an overnight stay lets you enjoy the town in the quiet evening.
Why is Pitigliano called little Jerusalem?
Pitigliano is called little Jerusalem because of the Jewish community that lived there for centuries after fleeing persecution elsewhere in central Italy. The town became an important centre of Jewish life, and its restored synagogue and museum still tell that story today.