Saturday, October 2nd 2004
By minibus:
Village of Sovana
Free afternoon:
Saturnia spas or Tuscan cooking lesson | |
Breakfast at the farm, and a half day excursion by minibus to Sovana.
Today, Sovana is a small village. Its origins were as an important Etruscan settlement, and later a Roman municipality. In the 13th century it was a seat of one branch of the Aldobrandeschi family, whose castle ruins can be seen at the entrance to the town. Sovana is located in a panoramic position on a ridge, where, as with many Italian towns, tourists now appreciate the stunning views. The functionality of those views becomes only too obvious as we tour the ruins of this medieval castle, where we can see that the landscape below is reassuringly empty of enemies!
Nearby are many important Etruscan necropoli dating from the third to second century BC, some of the finest in Tuscany. Most are rock tombs, first excavated in 1844. The Tomba Ildebranda, built in the third century BC, a temple-like structure, is one of the most impressive.
Lunch in a local restaurant. Free afternoon, choice of a visit to the famous thermal baths of Saturnia or return to the farm for a Tuscan cooking lesson.
Saturnia is a famous spa, enjoyed since Roman times for its natural thermal pools (37 C). Originally an Etruscan settlement, remains of the structures built when wealthy Romans vacationed here during the second and first century BC are still visible.
Dinner at the farm.
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