What is tuff?

Tuff is a rock formed by the accumulation and then consolidation of volcanic materials, especially ash; in the Maremma, it is mainly this volcanic tuff that you will see. Do not confuse it with calcareous tufa, a rock of a different origin. Here, the tuff is soft enough to be carved, but it can erode and crumble over time.

This rock partly explains the landscape around Pitigliano, Sorano and Sovana : the hilltop towns cling to tuff outcrops, and the Etruscans carved tombs there as well as sunken paths called vie cave. Some cavities were later used as cellars or shelters. Tuff is therefore not just a geological curiosity: it provided the inhabitants with an easy-to-work material and shaped the places where they lived.

If you walk the vie cave, expect passages that are sometimes uneven, shaded and damp; shoes with a good sole are more suitable than smooth sandals. The visit requires no geological knowledge: simply observe the carved walls and the differences in colour or texture in the rock.