Overview
Pitigliano is a striking hill town perched dramatically on a tuff rock spur in southern Tuscany, included in Italy's Most Beautiful Villages list. The town is nicknamed La Piccola Gerusalemme (Little Jerusalem) for its historic Jewish community, one of the oldest in Italy, which maintains a functioning synagogue and distinct culinary traditions.
Architecture · Budget Travel · Culture · Day Trips · History
Before you go
Activities
The Etruscan Vie Cave—deep trench roads carved into bedrock—are the area's most unusual attraction, best explored around Sovana.
Culture
Known as La Piccola Gerusalemme, Pitigliano has one of Italy's oldest Jewish communities with a functioning historic synagogue open to visitors.
Food
Try Sfratto, the stick-shaped Jewish dessert with honey, walnuts and spices, unique to Pitigliano. Local Bianco di Pitigliano white wine complements local cuisine.
Transport
Pitigliano has no train station; buses connect to Grosseto, Sorano and Sovana, but a car is most practical for exploring surrounding Etruscan sites.
Weather
Spring and autumn offer the best temperatures for sightseeing. Summer can be hot inland but good for combining with nearby Maremma coast beach visits.