The Jewish quarter of Pitigliano, clustered in the narrow lanes below the main square, is one of the most intact examples of a small-town Italian Jewish community that survives. Jews began settling here in the 16th century, drawn by the relative tolerance of the Orsini and later the Medici rulers. They built their synagogue, slaughterhouse, bakery, and ritual bath (mikveh) into the tuff rock, creating a self-contained world within a world.
The synagogue has been beautifully restored after falling into ruin in the 20th century; it is now a museum (Museo di Palazzo Orsini's Jewish section) housing Torah scrolls, ceremonial objects, and documentation of the community's history. The mikveh below is carved directly into the rock — cool, dim, and remarkable to stand in. The nearby bakery still produces sfratti, the almond and honey cookies traditional at Rosh Hashana, which you can buy in the shops on the main street.
The museum is open daily in season, with shorter hours in winter. Audio guides are available and highly recommended.