Vitozza, Archaeological site in Sorano, Italy
Vitozza is an archaeological site in Sorano featuring over 200 caves carved from tuff rock that served as homes, animal shelters, and fortified structures. These spaces spread across a wooded area and reveal layers of different occupation periods.
The settlement began in the 11th century, building on earlier Etruscan occupation before becoming a medieval fortress controlled by the Aldobrandeschi family. This rule lasted until the 18th century, when the site gradually lost importance.
The caves display different living styles, from simple rectangular openings to multi-level structures, showing how people adapted their homes as time passed. Walking through today, you can see how residents organized their spaces for daily life and survival.
The site can be explored on a marked walking trail that winds through the woodland and connects different areas of the archaeological zone. Comfortable footwear is advisable since the path crosses uneven ground with rocks and earth.
The site holds specialized cave structures called columbaria, long mistaken for Roman tombs by early researchers. In reality, they served as medieval dovecotes for raising birds that provided an important food source for residents.
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