Once the original Etruscan settlement called
Contenebra had been destroyed by the Romans, the survivors
founded two new communities, the modern-day Arlena and
Civitella di Arlena, just outside.
Ruins of a castle can be found in both places today,
plus traces of the old town wall built in the 13th Century.
There used to be a drawbridge, too, though this was
destroyed by the earthquake that hit this area in 1971
and is now buried under the Tuscania-Canino road.
LA PIANTATA - Arlena
An Etruscan tomb in the area known as La Piantata
(on the road from Arlena to Piansano). A painted hypogeum
tomb has recently been discovered there.
NECROPOLIS OF ARARELLA - Arlena
In the area known as Ararella (on the road leading to
Canino), several Etruscan tombs have been found dug
out of the tufo stone, originally roofed with tiles.
Outside of town (signposted), recent
efforts have brought to light this fort built in 1175.
Now in ruins, in the midst of a wooded outcrop above
the River Timone, it was partly excavated from the tufo
rock and partly built using hewn blocks of tufo.
Strategically located above the river, it controlled
the Via Clodia (an old Roman road used as an alternative
to the Aurelia leading from Rome to the North, avoiding
the marshes along the coast). Freely accessible - perfect for a picnic.
CASTELLO DELLA BADIA - Canino
Grounds freely accessible - perfect for a picnic.
The Castle lies on the Canino side of the River
Fiora where Latium and Tuscany meet.
Built on the edge of the steep Fiora
gorge. Once a Papal customs house in the 18th Century,
the Badia Castle has a moat (with drawbridge) on 2 sides
fed by a local spring, and today houses the Museum of
Vulci (Tel. +39.0761/437787) containing some of the
most important finds from the archaeological digs in
the city of Vulci.
Next to the Castle is the Devil's Bridge (Ponte dell'Abadia):
a fantastic Etruscan/Roman bridge with an interesting
outcrop of stalactites below the arch (due to seepage
from the old aqueduct) spanning the river way below
with its rich ecosystem.
GETTING THERE: From Rome (c. 120 km) Take the A12 to Civitavecchia,
then continue north on the SS1 to Montalto di
Castro. Follow the brown tourist signs to "Vulci"
(10 km). From Orte (A1) (c. 75 km) Take the Terni/Viterbo
fast road towards Viterbo, following the signs
to Tuscania and then Montalto di Castro. Turn
right 3 km before Montalto (SS 312 - direction
Canino), then left 2.5 km and left again after
6 km (follow the brown tourist signs to "Vulci"). From Lake Bolsena (c. 20 km) Take the SS 312
(direction Valentano). Turn right 6 km after Canino
and follow the brown tourist signs to Vulci (3
km). From Grosseto (c. 70 km) Take the SS1 towards
Rome, then the first turning for Montalto di Castro/Vulci,
a couple of km after the power station on your
left. Follow the brown tourist signs to Vulci
(10 km).
Due to the woods and difficulty getting
there, it gives you a feeling of discovering the ruins
for the very first time. Here you can see what's left
of the Cathedral, the Piazza with its ducal Mint and Inn,
plus the church of Santa Maria intra Muros with a few
frescoes just visible.
There are also several Etruscan tombs, such as that
called the Crocifisso: a huge tomb containing
the skeletons of several horses, now kept in Villa Giulia.
EREMO DI POGGIO CONTE - Cellere/Ischia
In the River Fiora valley just south of the Tuscany/Lazio border near a place called Ponte San Pietro.
The Eremo di Poggio Conte is a tiny chapel and living quarters dug out of the tuff rock, to the side of a high dripping rock above the river that forms a sort of amphitheatre (sometimes used today for concerts). The Civic Museum in nearby Ischia di Castro contains many of the frescos from the hermitage, though some are still to be seen in situ.
The locals will tell you that only a few years ago there was a modern-day hermit here for several years!
An old Bronze Age settlement in the River Fiora valley, discovered by the archaeologist Ferrante Rittatore Vonwiller. Today most of the artefacts are found in the Civic Museum in Farnese.
Ruins of a mediaeval tower can still be seen plus steps dug out of the tuff rock, called the "Scala Santa".
ROFALCO - Farnese
Ruins of an Etruscan settlement under the sway of Vulci, dating back to the 4th and 3rd Centuries BC.
By the fantastic woods of the Selva del Lamone.
6 km from the centre of Monte Romano.
Originally a Bronze-Age settlement, it later became
an important Etruscan centre (4th Century
BC onwards) before being abandoned under the Romans.
Later, a small centre and castle were built close-by
in the mid 12th Century. The archaeological area also
contains several deep gorges, a stretch of the ancient
Roman road - the Via Clodia - leading from Rome to Lucca,
streams and thick woodland.
The Etruscan tombs seen today fall into two categories:
shrines and those dug out of the tufo (lava rock), often
on several levels with connecting steps. Worth seeing:
the Tre Teste, Smurinas and Ziluse tombs.
About 7 km down the road to Monte Romano is the
ancient Etruscan metropolis of Tarchna, the original town
of Tarquinia on two plateaus (Pian di Civita and Pian
della Regina). Covering an area of about 150 hectares,
this site contains the ruins of a large Etruscan temple
- the Ara della Regina - dating back to the 4th Century
BC. The building was fronted by an impressive set of steps,
had three main chambers and was decorated with various
statues, such as the Winged Horses (now in the National
Museum in Tarquinia), the only extant artefact.
Many archaeological digs are visible, such as the Romanelli
Gate. The ruins of the city wall can be seen towards the
tip of the limestone plateau (8 km of limestone blocks).
The North-East corner contains a circular fountain from
the Augustan period.
NECROPOLIS OF MONTEROZZI - Tarquinia
A major archaeological area with many Etruscan frescoed
tombs. The custom of decorating such chambers was widespread,
but the necropolis in Tarquinia is unique: some 200 painted
tombs have been found so far, of a quality indicating
the nobility of those buried there.
The images depict everyday scenes, as though to stress
the common belief of the afterlife, plus myths, traditions,
personalities and families. 14 tombs can be visited today:
the Tombs of the Hunter, the Jugglers, the Lionesses,
the Leopards, the Floggings, the Lotus Flower, the Banquet,
Hunting and Fishing and the Pulcella, Cardarelli, Gorgoneion
and Caronti Tombs.
Info: +39.0766.856036
Opening hours: 9.00 a.m. - 7.30 p.m. Closed Mondays
Free entry if under 18 / over 65;
student ticket 18 - 25; discounted combined ticket
Museum & Necropolis
GETTING THERE:
1 km outside town (well sign-posted),
in the area known as Monterozzi heading towards
the S.S. Aurelia bis along Via Ripagretta.
A large number Etruscan tombs and necropolises,
the oldest dating back to the 8th Century BC, have been
found to the North and South of Colle San Pietro. Those
in the North - Peschiera, Pian di Mola and Castelluccio
- are along the Rivers Maschiolo and Marta, whose those
to the South include the Ara del Tufo, Madonna
dell'Olivo, Scalette, Carcarello and
Sasso Pizzuto.
Other tombs have also been found in the areas of San
Lazzaro, Guado, San Giusto, Castelluzza, Doganella,
Sughereto, San Giuliano, Rosavecchia and Val Vidone.
While the Madonna dell'Olivo complex is the most
famous, the Necropolis of Peschiera (6th Century
BC) is a rare example of unusual realism: a rectangular
block almost 10 metres long with a pitched roof and
cornice, giving it the appearance of a house. Even rafters.
Inside there are three rooms, a hall and funeral beds.
Tombs for a noble family.
In 1979 another important complex was found: the so-called
Tomba Dore, though the tomb robbers ("tombaroli")
had already stripped it of most items, though some were
still found (bronzes, pottery and glassware). This tomb
consists of two rooms opening onto a corridor.
The Pian di Mola necropolis contains a row of
rock-tombs, some of which again represent homes with
pitched roofs.
The Ara del Tufo site, next to the Madonna dell'Olivo
complex, also contains such a structure and tumuli.
The Carcarello necropolis is home to the Vipinana
tomb which contained roughly 24 sarcophagi. These can
now be seen in the Archaeological Museum in town, along
with artefacts from all the local tombs.
Contact the Archaeological Museum to arrange
visits to these tombs: tel. 0761.436209.
NECROPOLIS OF MADONNA DELL'OLIVO - Tuscania
Spread over the hills overlooking the
River Marta. A collection of tombs from the Ancient
Greek era (4th - 2nd Centuries BC). The most important
is the Tomba della Regina (Queen's Tomb), with
small tunnels running several metres underground. This
tomb gained its name from the face of the legendary
queen Hosa originally (but no longer) painted on the
two rock pillars in the central chamber.
Other tombs include the Sarcofago delle Amazzoni,
depicting Amazon battles and fighting animals; the Curunas
tombs depicting the deceased enjoying a banquet
(now in the Archaeological Museum in town).
Vulci was one of the greatest Etruscan city-states, in an area that had been intensely populated during the Palaeolithic Age. Small villages already existed in the Bronze Age and as these grew they formed what was to become the city of Vulci.
By the end of the 6th Century B.C. the city's dominion reached inland to the Lake Bolsena area, to Grosseto and Monte Amiata in the North and Cerveteri in the South. Such was its importance politically, that Vulci even influenced the decisions of the kings down in Rome.
Today several tombs can be visited, including the "Tomba Francois". Guided visits (phone ahead for guides in your language) & special events. Check with the Vulci website: www.vulci.it.
Downstream from the Badia Castle and
Devil's Bridge, the River Fiora forms a lake - Lake
Pellicone - immediately below a spectacular waterfall
with sandy beaches. Nature lovers will enjoy the path
that takes you through meadows (look out for the Maremma
cattle, a rare breed famous for its veal, and grazing
horses).
There are information signs along the trails leading
to the lake with details of the plants and their special
meanings for the mythology, art and culture in past
times.
GETTING THERE: From Rome (c. 120 km) Take the A12 to Civitavecchia,
then continue north on the SS1 to Montalto di
Castro. Follow the brown tourist signs to "Vulci"
(10 km). From Orte (A1) (c. 75 km) Take the Terni/Viterbo
fast road towards Viterbo, following the signs
to Tuscania and then Montalto di Castro. Turn
right 3 km before Montalto (SS 312 - direction
Canino), then left 2.5 km and left again after
6 km (follow the brown tourist signs to "Vulci"). From Lake Bolsena (c. 20 km) Take the SS 312
(direction Valentano). Turn right 6 km after Canino
and follow the brown tourist signs to Vulci (3
km). From Grosseto (c. 70 km) Take the SS1 towards
Rome, then the first turning for Montalto di Castro/Vulci,
a couple of km after the power station on your
left. Follow the brown tourist signs to Vulci
(10 km).
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