Population: c. 15,200
Surface area: 279 km2
Metres above sea level: 169

Origin of the name
From the Etruscan (pre-Roman) "Tarchna" or "Tarchuna". The legend goes that as a farmer was ploughing a field close by the River Marta, a young yet wise god emerged from the earth and taught the Etruscans their religion. Tarchon (brother or son of Tyrrhenius who guided the Etruscans to Italy after the Battle of Troy (1180 B.C.) founded a sacred city at that spot, called Tarchna.

Market-day
Wednesday morning

Worth tasting in the area
Tarquinia is famed for its ferlengi mushrooms, black truffles (tartufo nero estivo or scorzone), Maremma veal and wine (Tarquinia D.O.C. and Lazio I.G.T.), melon, watermelon, Maremma fennel and artichokes, tomatoes (for canning) and (needless to say) fish.

Quick guide to Tarquinia