Sovana

Sovana ( Svea ) is a town in the Maremma region in Tuscany, Grosseto in Italy, also the district ( Frazione ) of the municipality of Sorano.

• 3.1 Rocca Aldobrandesca
• 3.2 Piazza del Pretorio ( Amtsgerichtsplatz )
• 3.3 Praetorian Palace ( District Court Palace)
• 3.4 Loggia del Capitano ( Loge of the main man )
• 3.5 Palazzo dell'Archivo (archive Palace)
• 3.6 Church of Santa Maria
• 3.7 Palazzo Bourbon del Monte
• 3.8 S. Mamiliano
• 3.9 monastery of St. Benedict
• 3.10 The Cathedral

• 4.1 Tomba Ildebranda
• 4.2 Hand of Orlando
• 4.3 Cavone

Geography

Sovana lies on a hill of tufa at the confluence of the Calesine and Folonia. The layout of the town consists of three hot running in the longitudinal direction of streets, Upper Street, Lower Street and Center Street. Already obtained in the Etruscan Sovana importance. To date, have remained important monuments from this period. In the 11th century the city experienced another heyday, while in the following centuries began a process of decay. Nevertheless Sovana has still retains its original medieval center. 1833 lived only 64 residents in the city, now live about 150 people in Sovana. Due to the rediscovery of the cultural treasures of Sovana in recent years the city has returned after centuries of oblivion in life. Nevertheless, Sovana is no tourist metropolis.

History

Archaeological excavations have proved that already existed from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age settlements in the area of Sovana. Around the year 1000 BC the first growing settlements developed. Also in Sovana there was a large settlement of this kind, such as also in San Juvenal. With the beginning of the Iron Age, these settlements were abandoned. Towards the end of the Villanova time the settlements were revived, at the same time appeared the first Etruscan settlements. When excavations were found below the plateau of the cathedral of Sovana, a prehistoric settlement. It consisted of large, elliptical-shaped dwellings.

Antiquity

The Etruscan Svea was a center of medium importance. There were trade relations with Vulci and a cultural exchange with the area of Lake Bolsena. The climax was the Etruscan Sovana in the fourth and third century BC, but also during the Romanization it could preserve its bloom yet. From the Roman colonization of the Etruscan culture in Sovana seems to have remained untouched; as shown by numerous Etruscan inscriptions from the period of colonization that the Etruscan language and culture were still practiced. Nevertheless, Sovana was in Roman times municipium.

Christianization

As early as the 4th century AD Sovana was a bishopric. This makes it gained importance during the Christianisierungsprozesses in southern Tuscany. In addition, the area was a popular destination for hermits and hermits who contributed to the spreading of Christianity. In Sovana itself there were four rock hermitages.

Middle Ages

935 chose the Aldobrandeschi the city as the capital of its county, stretching from the Monte Amiata from the entire Maremma. Expression of their claim to power is today the ruins of their castle, the Rocca Aldobrandesca at the entrance of Sovana. In the 11th century ( around 1020 ) was born in Sovana the canons Hildebrand of Sovana, the future Pope Gregory VII, who played a crucial role in the Investiture Controversy. From the 13th century began a process of decay in the county, marked by internal struggles. This process culminated in the Battle of Montaperti ( 1260 ) between the Ghibellines and the Guelphs of Santa Fiora of Sovana. From 1312 Sovana was the Count of Orsini, which was taken over the city further down wirtschafteten until 1410 by the Republic of Siena. Through the process of decay, the impoverished population has been decimated. Wars, looting and malaria epidemics eventually led to Sovana was an abandoned and decay near the spot.

Modern Times

During the Renaissance, the Medici attempted to revive Sovana settlement by immigrant Greeks. However, this attempt failed, as did a later attempt under the Grand Dukes of Habsburg- Lorraine, because another malaria epidemic decimated the population. It was not until the rediscovery of the many attractions in the presence of Sovana has torn the city from its oblivion.

Medieval sights

Rocca Aldobrandesca

Situated at the entrance of the village center are the ruins of the Rocca Aldobrandesca. The castle was built in the 11th century and enlarged several times and restored in the 12th and 14th century. Since the 17th century it was left to decay. The castle was built on a hewn already in Etruscan rock surface. Through the castle the only medieval city gate, the Porta della Rocca should be defended and thus the center are protected. In addition, the castle was originally surrounded by a moat. 1558 was ( as Porta Passo ) opened on the south side of the city under Cosimo de ' Medici another gate.

Piazza del Pretorio ( Amtsgerichtsplatz )

Around the square the complete medieval city model is obtained. The low two-storey houses are built on foundations from the 12th to the 15th century. The Piazza del Pretorio is the only square of the town and surrounded by the most important historical buildings in Sovana. The patch of brick herringbone is original, partially restored to the other part.

Praetorian Palace ( District Court Palace)

Stands on the right side of the Piazza del Pretorio a building from the 12th century, whose front is adorned by a number of large crest. This coat of arms come from the Sienese and the Medici Commissioners who managed the place from the 14th to the 16th century. At the Eckmauer the building, a column is attached to the probably in the past announcements were made. In this palace now houses an archaeological museum. There Etruscan finds are exhibited as well as pottery from the Middle Ages.

Loggia del Capitano ( Loge of the main man )

At the same pillars built as the District Court Palace is the box of the main man. There is a coat of arms of the Medici, Cosimo I was there the attach to the end of the 16th century on the outer wall. In this building, the Regent of the city resided.

Palazzo dell'Archivo (archive Palace)

Set between Via di Mezzo and the Via di Sotto in the center of Piazza del Pretorio Archive palace from the 13th century stands with a slender bell tower. Here was the seat of the municipality and the archive. Today, the Palazzo dell'Archivo is no longer used in this sense, as Sovana now part of the municipality of Sorano. On the facade of an old clock is fitted with a complicated mechanism.

• Frescoes in St. Mary, Sovana

Church of Santa Maria

On the left side of the square is the church of Santa Maria is from the 12th century. Above the main altar here rises a rare pre-Romanesque ciborium from the 8th century, unique in all of Tuscany. It is made of white marble and consists of four columns with Corinthian-style capitals that carry an octagonal pyramid. Presumably, the ciborium was after renovations in the cathedral of Sovana, where it is. 11-12 to Century was brought into the church. Inside the church there are some valuable frescoes. Also to be found in a corner of the church some Roman milestones from the late Republican era with grave inscriptions.

Palazzo Bourbon del Monte

Right next to the church stands the palace of the Marquis Bourbon del Monte with a high open hall on the ground floor. The facade dates from the 17th century.

S. Mamiliano

There are also the ruined walls of the church of S. Mamiliano Piazza del Pretorio. This is the oldest building of Sovana. Presumably this was the first Christian church of the early bishopric, which had been built on the ruins of a pagan temple. The church was dedicated to the patron saint of the village. The building was again covered, because excavations are being carried out under the floor (2007).

Monastery of St. Benedict

Near the parking lot of Sovana you can see the remains of the monastery from the 12th century. Some researchers place the monastery to the Knights Templar. The presence of the Templars in Sovana is occupied by an original document in the local of a commandery is mentioned. However, this fact could not yet be further localized.

The Cathedral

The St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, dedicated is located at the western end of Sovana. The Cathedral is the most important monument of the Middle Ages in Sovana dar. It is a rare example of a cathedral in Romanesque- Gothic style of high artistic value. Decorated the Cathedral is by decorative stonework. The interior is characterized by unique, yet harmonious architectural forms. A first phase of construction put probably an early as the 9th century. In the 11th century the church was already, like a papal bull of Niccolò II shows. During the 12th to 14th centuries the cathedral was altered in its appearance. The portal on the long side of the church is made ​​of marble and consists of a first, outer arc in the upper half is shown the soul of a people who ascends to heaven. In the center of the arch are two stylized lion heads that are to guard the Cathedral and at the bottom of various symbolic motifs. The interior of the cathedral is divided by a series of massive, cross-shaped, two-colored pillars on which rests the cross vault of the central nave. Of particular interest are the sculptures on the upper part of the capitals, which are attributed to the Lombard school of the 11th century. There are there represented biblical scenes. In an urn on the altar are the remains of S. Mamiliano, the patron saint of Sovana. At the point where today stands the cathedral, was probably also the Etruscan acropolis.

Ancient sights

Tomba Ildebranda

When Tomba Ildebranda is the only surviving example of an Etruscan temple tomb. In the 1920s, the grave complex was rediscovered. In honor of Ildebrando from Sovana it was called Tomba Ildebranda. The monument was knocked out of a huge boulder, from a traditional Etruscan temple of the Hellenistic era was (probably 3rd century BC ). The facade of the temple consists of twelve columns that refer to the Etruscan Dodekapolis. The capitals are in the Museum of Sovana. They presented four male and female gods countenance and large acanthus leaves. Overall, the entire temple area was plastered and painted in vibrant colors. There are a total of two grave inputs. The main entrance leads to a cross-shaped grave chamber, which leads directly below the center of the overlying temple. Presumably it was created for a very upstanding person of Sovana. The lateral dromos leads to a grave, which probably dates from the 4th century BC. The ceiling of the tomb, the ceiling of an Etruscan house dar. Besides Tomba Ildebranda some time ago another plateau been discovered standing on the stairs next to two high aedicules, one of which reflects the simplified form of a temple façade. However, these discoveries are still being researched.

Hand of Orlando

At the road from Sovana Sorano at the fork to Pitigliano, a large boulder, which looks like a hand. According to legend, the hand is created magically in the siege Sovana by Charlemagne, while the knight Orlando ( the Orlando Furioso ) gripped the rock with his hand. Probably, however, the rock is much older. Perhaps you strengthened here hemp ropes by being pulled through the finger hole or you used the hand as an observation post. A final explanation is the possibility that the hand goes back to the megalithic age. During this period it was common to set up large stones that had a magical sacred function.

Cavone

This is a carved into the rock ravine with various Etruscan tracks. Directly behind the entrance are in the upper left wall Etruscan caves, which were used in the early Middle Ages by hermits. Below it there is a niche with the remains of a fresco of the Madonna and Child. Next inside the hollow path can be found in the rock wall a few graves, and various characters from various eras. Among other things are also Christian crosses to find, with the aid of which wanted to drive the pagan gods. In the Middle Ages was called this way " road of the devil" and it was believed it was dangerous the way to go at night. Halfway is an Etruscan epigraphy " Vertne ", which presumably refers to the highest Etruscan God ( Vertumno or Veltha ).

More Etruscan sights: Necropolis at the Folonia, grave of Silenus, necropolis of Sopraripa, Tomba Pisa, Tomba del Tifone, Tomba Pola, necropolis of Pian Casale etc.

Personalities

In the village of Sovana Hildebrand of Soana, later Pope Gregory VII was born in 1020. He played a significant role in the Investiture Controversy ( Canossa ).