Holiday apartment in Sodo: Etruscan tombs and cultural trails

Holiday apartment in Sodo: Etruscan history and trails

At the foot of Cortona, in the district of Sodo di Cortona, lies the MAEC archaeological site with two monumental Etruscan tombs from the Archaic period. If you choose a holiday apartment in Sodo, this combination of local character and Etruscan history provides a natural cultural focus for planning your trip.

The Tumulo I del Sodo dates from the early 6th century BCE and consists of a hemispherical artificial mound enclosing a tomb made of large blocks of yellowish tuff. At the same time, it is considered one of the oldest Etruscan funerary monuments in Cortona. Access to the burial chamber was via a long dromos that led behind a square vestibule to five burial chambers.

The Tumulo II del Sodo dates from the early 6th century BCE and preserves a monumental Etruscan altar in situ. Sculptures and ornamental motifs decorate it; a ten-step staircase forms part of its structure. During burial ceremonies, the altar was used for laying out the deceased and presenting offerings to gods and ancestors.

Tomb 2 of Tumulo II was exceptionally well preserved and contained intact grave goods: female gold jewelry, a writing stylus and bronze remains of a folding chair. The monuments at the site bear witness to the spirituality, art and social organization of the Etruscans of Cortona.

For active days, the MAEC cultural trails complement the archaeological themes. They are designed as slow-tourism routes for hiking on foot or by bicycle. Connected with Sodo are the Sentiero dei Principi Etruschi and the Sentiero dei Tre Tumuli Etruschi. This allows you to combine cultural impressions and physical activity in different day plans.

A section of the Sentiero dei Principi Etruschi begins in Sodo and runs along the banks of the Rio di Loreto. Its two routes meet in Molinaccio; via the Torrente Mucchia and the Canale Maestro della Chiana, the trail is connected to the Sentiero della Bonifica. For a holiday apartment in Sodo, this route can therefore be a relevant criterion if you want to include waterside paths and onward connections in your planning.

The Sentiero dei Tre Tumuli Etruschi runs through fields between the burial mound of Camucia and the tumuli of Sodo. Along the trail, the agricultural landscape connects historical and archaeological evidence. On the Sentiero dei Mulini, the route leads through olive groves and wooded areas uphill to the Eremo delle Celle ai Cappuccini; at the same time, it connects Sodo with Sant’Egidio. The name derives from seventeen mills that stood on the Rio di Loreto until a few years ago and were used for grinding seeds and olives.

In Tuscany, the Via Romea Germanica is divided into seven stages. This structure provides longer hiking interests with a distinct framework alongside the cultural trails of Sodo.

Further places for planning your trip

Fratta-Santa Caterina, Lucignano, Castel Focognano, Cortona, Duddova, Montevarchi, Castelfranco Di Sopra, Arezzo

To the higher-level travel overview: Arezzo.