What are the Vie Cave of Pitigliano?

The Vie Cave of Pitigliano are ancient paths carved into tuff, the soft volcanic rock that forms the cliffs around the village. The Etruscans created them to connect settlements and necropolises; their exact purpose is not fully established, and some passages were deepened or reworked over the centuries. They are therefore not tunnels, but narrow, winding trenches between walls that are sometimes very high, often shaded and cool.

Around Pitigliano, you can notably walk the Via Cava di San Giuseppe, the one of the Annunziata or the one of Fratenuti. A marked trail connects several passages: allow a few kilometers et jusqu’à about three hours of walking for the full route, depending on your pace and stops. The terrain can be uneven, with natural steps and muddy patches after rain; wear shoes with good grip. This is not a museum tour with explanations at every turn: the appeal lies mainly in the paths themselves, in the tuff and in how they fit into the landscape. You can also do just part of it rather than following the whole circuit.