THE CAVE WAYS.
The Vie Cave are ancient and fascinating open-air Etruscan routes, a kind of cyclopean corridors carved out of tuffaceous rock in the Maremma between Pitigliano, Sovana and Sorano.
What was the purpose of the Hollow Ways? Why did the Etruscans create these gigantic works by excavating miles of tuffaceous rock? These questions have not yet been precisely answered, with some speculating on a sacred and funerary use, and other theses claiming they were connecting roads, defensive systems or even works for water runoff.
The only thing that is certain, is that they must have been of considerable importance, since in order to build the Via Cava alone called “Cavone,” as much as 40 thousand tons of volcanic rock were removed… The signs of this ancient manual work are still clearly visible on the walls today.
As you walk along the Vie Cave you will come across tombs and carvings from the Etruscan period, while of medieval or even more recent origin are the numerous devil-scavengers: niches containing sacred images that were meant to reassure travelers. The signs of wear and tear you will notice on the walking surface were caused by the centuries-long passage of wagons, which also testifies to how much they have been used over time.
The itinerary starts from Pitigliano: reach Porta Sovana to enter a magical and exciting environment. Here you will find directions to the Poggio di Cani Quarry Street, the nearest, and to the San Giuseppe Quarry Street, one of the most beautiful quarries where there is an Etruscan necropolis and a fresco on a boulder of the image of St. Joseph.
From here the road continues to the Pian dei Conati Quarry to reach the village of Sovana. The climate in the quarries is humid and cool, you will find an environment of mosses, lichens and ferns, you can still see the hoof marks of animals that have passed through here for centuries.
ITINERARIES
- Fratenuti Quarry Street
Leaving the Poggio Cani Quarry, you will find signs for Via Cava di Fratenuti, which we invite you to walk along. Once you have traveled along and returned to the main road you have two options: turning left you can reach the viewpoint of the Sanctuary Madonna delle Grazie. From here the road returns to Pitigliano along Via Cava della Madonna delle Grazie, turning right you will be able to reach the junction to Sovana.
- St. Joseph’s Quarry Street
Leaving the Poggio Cani Quarry, go past the access to Via Cava di Fratenuti and continue to the paved road crossing an old bridge over the Lente. From here the road reaches toward St. Joseph’s Quarry Street, which is the longest Quarry Street in the area.
- Annunziata Quarry Street
Pass the access to Via Cava di Fratenuti, cross an old bridge to arrive at a picnic area. From here continue to the entrance for the Annunziata Quarry Street.