One of the wall paintings found in the tomb; the team plans to use multispectral analysis to uncover more of it Archaeologists in Italy have discovered a 2,500-year-old Etruscan tomb that is richly decorated with wall paintings A 2,500-year-old tomb decorated with bright-red wall paintings has been discovered at an ancient necropolis in Italy It was created by the Etruscans, a people who thrived in Italy during the middle of the first millennium B.C. but who were gradually conquered and assimilated by the Romans while another scene illustrates a metallurgical workshop director of the National Archaeological Museum of Florence and leader of the team that excavated the tomb Related: Ancient Etruscans prayed at sacred hot springs, stunning statues reveal The mural with the music and dance scene may depict the actual funeral of the deceased Scenes like this "have been interpreted by scholars as referring to the ceremonies occurring at the funeral of the members of the family," Maras said human remains and grave goods indicated that the tomb had been looted And the tomb itself is in rough shape — it sits beneath another tomb that has already collapsed Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox —Scientists solve the mystery of the Etruscans' origins —Hidden scenes in ancient Etruscan paintings revealed The tomb is located in the Tarquinia necropolis about 45 miles (72 kilometers) northwest of Rome "Around 6,500 tombs have been identified and classified at Tarquinia and [about] 200 of them had painted decoration," Maras said The tomb was found in 2022 and was excavated and examined in detail recently and the team plans to use multispectral imaging technologies to examine the paintings and determine which colors have been lost Owen JarusSocial Links NavigationLive Science ContributorOwen Jarus is a regular contributor to Live Science who writes about archaeology and humans' past He has also written for The Independent (UK) The Canadian Press (CP) and The Associated Press (AP) Owen has a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Toronto and a journalism degree from Ryerson University.  you will then be prompted to enter your display name Archaeologists discover hundreds of metal objects up to 3,400 years old on mysterious volcanic hilltop in Hungary May's full 'Flower Moon' will be a micromoon the National Archaeological Museum in Florence will offer the exhibition Visions of Etruscan Myths and Rituals in Florence an Etruscologist and director of the museum On display for the occasion will be four whole painted slabs recovered in Cerveteri in 2019 by the Guardia di Finanza The exhibition is the result of a collaboration between the National Archaeological Museum of Florence the General Directorate of Museums of the Ministry of Culture the Rome Nucleo di Polizia economico-finanziaria of the Guardia di Finanza - Sezione Tutela Beni demaniali e di interesse pubblico Belle Arti e Paesaggio for the province of Viterbo and for Southern Etruria in agreement with the Regional Directorate National Museums of Tuscany.The painted slabsThe four painted terracotta slabs were recovered in the summer of 2019 by the Guardia di Finanza during an operation to combat the clandestine trade in archaeological finds They were produced in the last decades of the sixth century B.C in a workshop in the Etruscan city of Caere (modern-day Cerveteri) probably to decorate the walls of a temple depicts a broken meander framing panels with waterfowl and star-shaped floral motifs The surface has been damaged by the clumsy attempts of art thieves to clean them out of their context One slab depicts the duel between Achilles and Penthesilea: the Greek hero on the left takes cover behind his shield and prepares to strike the queen of the Amazons who hurls herself at him wielding a bloody sword Another depicts a man wielding a golden-leafed branch while chasing a curly-haired woman armed with a bow: this could be Apollo and Artemis with their respective divine attributes or the virgin hunter Atalanta challenged to the race by her future husband Melanion who won the race by dropping three golden apples to distract her Yet another depicts the Judgment of Paris: the messenger of the gods Hermes first of the three goddesses vying to choose the most beautiful among them Originally the other two goddesses (Athena and Aphrodite) and the young Paris called to judge were depicted on two adjacent slabs on the last slab is depicted a long-haired young priest who has just completed a divination rite by observing birds with the lituo (the curved staff he now holds on his shoulder) and is communicating the will of the gods to his companion who hurries off holding a twig with red fruits “Thanks to exhibition initiatives such as this one which follows a brief preview in the spring of 2024 in Vetulonia the cycle of protection for the four slabs is brought to completion from protection (ensured by the Guardia di Finanza) to preservation (made possible by the Superintendence) to enhancement (guaranteed in the context of the Museum) Only in this way will the ethereal gaze of Penthesilea the exuberant vitality of the running couple the explosion of colors of Hermes’ wings and the enigmatic gestures of the haruspices return to the function for which they were created: communicating with the public and conveying the voice of the artists of the past,” said Maras from the beginning within the Superintendency’s working group that studied the slabs to make them visible to the public The four slabs are joined by the recently acquired Etruscan Traveler: a fragment of a painted slab depicting the profile of a richly hairstyled young man in a travel outfit which may actually be the stage costume of an actor intent on a performance with a mythological subject which was found in Cerveteri at an unspecified time remained in private American collections until 2020 when it was purchased by the Luigi Rovati Foundation of Milan with the intention of ceding it to the state Superintendence for the Province of Viterbo and Southern Etruria the Traveler returned to Etruria to be displayed in the Florentine exhibition “Cultural heritage,” Maras concludes “fulfills its mission when it is enabled to reach the public and promote the development of culture This is the purpose of an exhibition on works of ancient painting such as those we are presenting today which - although left without context due to clandestine excavators - still continue to narrate history The World Heritage Centre is at the forefront of the international community’s efforts to protect and preserve World Heritage partnerships for conservation Ensuring that World Heritage sites sustain their outstanding universal value is an increasingly challenging mission in today’s complex world where sites are vulnerable to the effects of uncontrolled urban development Our Partners Donate Take advantage of the search to browse through the World Heritage Centre information These two large Etruscan cemeteries reflect different types of burial practices from the 9th to the 1st century BC and bear witness to the achievements of Etruscan culture Which over nine centuries developed the earliest urban civilization in the northern Mediterranean cut in rock and topped by impressive tumuli (burial mounds) others have wall paintings of outstanding quality contains thousands of tombs organized in a city-like plan The site contains very different types of tombs: trenches cut in rock; tumuli; and some in the shape of huts or houses with a wealth of structural details These provide the only surviving evidence of Etruscan residential architecture the earliest of which date from the 7th century BC Ces deux grandes nécropoles étrusques reflètent divers types de pratiques funéraires entre le IXe et le Ier siècle avant J.C et comptent parmi les plus beaux témoignages du monde étrusque cette civilisation urbaine du nord de la Méditerranée Certaines tombes du site sont monumentales taillées dans la roche et surmontées d’impressionnants tumuli Nombre d’entre elles comportent des bas-reliefs tandis que d’autres renferment de remarquables peintures murales comprend des milliers de tombes disposées selon un plan quasi urbain Les tombes sont de divers types : tranchées creusées dans le roc ou d’autres taillées dans la roche en forme de cabane ou de maison avec un luxe de détails architecturaux Elles constituent l’unique témoignage qui nous soit parvenu de l’architecture résidentielle étrusque contient 6000 tombes creusées dans la roche Elle est célèbre pour ses 200 tombes peintes dont les plus anciennes remontent au VIIe siècle avant J.C تعكس هاتان المقبرتان الأتروريتان الكبيرتان أنواعًا متعددة من الممارسات الجنائزية بين القرن التاسع والقرن الأول ف.م وتعتبَر من أجمل الشهادات في العالم الأتروريّ، أي تلك الحضارة الحضرية في شمال المتوسط كما أن بعض قبور الموقع هائلة منحوتة في الصخر وتعلوها رُكَم مذهلة ويحتوي كثير منها على نُقيشات بينما تحوي أخرى رسومًا جدارية مذهلة فالمقبرة القريبة من "تشيرفيتيري" المعروفة بـ"بانديتاتشا" ، تحتوي على آلاف القبور المصفوفة حسب خطة شبه حضرية، مع أحياء، وشوارع وساحات صغيرة والقبور من أنواع مختلفة: خنادق محفورة في الصخر، ورُكَم، أو أخرى منحوتة في الصخر بشكل أكواخ أو بيوت مع إسهاب بالتفاصيل الهندسية وهي تشكل الشهادة الوحيدة التي وصلتنا من الهندسة المعمارية السكنية الأترورية أما مقبرة "تاركينيا" والتي تسمّى أيضًا "مونتيروتزي" فهي تحتوي على 6000 قبر محفور في الصخر وهي مشهورة بقبورها الـ 200 الرسومة والتي يعود أقدمها إلى القرن السابع ق.م 这两座巨大的伊特鲁立亚人墓葬反映了公元前9世纪至公元前1世纪不同的墓葬形式，是伊特鲁立亚文化成就的见证。它们在九个多世纪里推动了地中海北部地区最早的城市文明的发展。有些坟墓以岩石刻成，上面是给人深刻印象的墓丘。坟墓的墙壁上有很多质量精美的壁画和岩石雕刻。靠近塞尔维托里的墓地又以公墓见称，包括数千个以类似城市规划的模式安置的墓地，带有街道、小广场和邻近居所。这里有不同类型的墓葬: 岩刻沟渠和坟墓，也有一些石刻的棚屋或房舍形状的墓室，带有许多更加精致的建筑结构。这些是伊特鲁立亚人民居建筑的仅存证明。塔尔奎尼亚墓葬群一般称之为曼特罗契(Monterozzi)，包括了6000座岩石刻成的坟墓。其中200座有壁画的墓葬最著名，最早的可以追溯到公元前7世纪。 Эти два больших этрусских кладбища отражают различные способы захоронения в период IX-I вв а сверху покрыты мощными земляными насыпями – «тумули» На стенах многих гробниц нанесены различные изображения прекрасного качества Он славится своими 200 расписанными гробницами Estas dos grandes necrópolis son testigos de los distintos ritos funerarios practicados por los etruscos desde los siglos IX a I a.C y son una de los mejores testimonios de la cultura de este pueblo creador de la primera civilización urbana del norte del Mediterráneo Algunas de sus tumbas excavadas en la roca y rematadas por túmulos impresionantes Muchas de ellas están ornadas con bajorrelieves o pinturas murales de calidad excepcional situada en las cercanías de la localidad de Cerveteri posee miles de tumbas cuya disposición está organizada en función de un trazado análogo al plan urbanístico de una ciudad Las tumbas de este cementerio son de tipos muy diferentes: túmulos zanjas excavadas en la piedra y oquedades practicadas en la roca en forma de chozas o casas con gran profusión de elementos estructurales que hacen de ellas los únicos vestigios existentes de la arquitectura residencial etrusca posee 6.000 sepulcros cavados en la roca y es famosa por los 200 que están ornados con pinturas Las sepulturas más antiguas datan del siglo VII a.C The property encompasses the two necropolises of the Banditaccia and the Monterozzi the most important cemeteries of the ancient Etruscan city-states of Cerveteri and Tarquinia These two cities were built near the western coast in central Italy they have provided the majority of the most significant archaeological discoveries associated with this civilization over a period of nine centuries The two necropolises and their buffer zones cover a large area – a whole property of 326.93 ha and a buffer zone of 4,932.11 ha The 197.57 ha site dates from the 9th century BCE and contains very different types of tombs: trenches cut in rock; tumuli which often contain more than one tomb; and some Because there is little surviving written information on the Etruscans this site provides exceptional testimony of Etruscan domestic architecture from archaic times to the Hellenic period it is one of the most extensive complexes known Tarquinia is famous for its 200 painted tombs the earliest of which date from the 7th century BCE These paintings provide the only major testimony of classic artwork of pre-Roman times existing in the Mediterranean basin the Etruscan cemeteries at Cerveteri and Tarquinia offer the sole important attestation of this population that created the first urban culture in the western Mediterranean from the eighth to the first century BCE in central Italy The necropolises have been known for centuries Michelangelo visited Tarquinia during the Renaissance and a related sketch is held in Florence’s Buonarroti Archives Criterion (i): The necropolises of Tarquinia and Cerveteri are masterpieces of creative genius: Tarquinia's large-scale wall paintings are exceptional both for their formal qualities and for their content and religious beliefs of the ancient Etruscans Cerveteri exceptionally testifies in a funerary context the same town planning and architectural schemes used in an ancient city Criterion (iii): The two necropolises constitute a unique and exceptional testimony to the ancient Etruscan civilisation the only urban type of civilisation in pre-Roman Italy the depiction of daily life in the frescoed tombs many of which are replicas of Etruscan houses is a unique testimony to this vanished culture Criterion (iv): Many of the tombs of Tarquinia and Cerveteri represent types of buildings that no longer exist in any other form replicas of Etruscan town planning schemes are some of the earliest existing in the region The property and the buffer zone that encircles the necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia includes all the territory covered in ancient times by the two inhabited centres and the other numerous cemeteries surrounding them The two archaeological sites cover a vast area The property is in a good state of conservation and is continually monitored by the competent authorities of the ministry responsible for cultural heritage Several tombs at Cerveteri discovered at the beginning of the 20th century including the Tomba dei Rilievi (Tomb of the Reliefs) 'del Triclinio’ and ‘dell’Alcova’ had artefacts removed to the private collection of Marquis Campana and later to various museums in Italy and abroad (including the Louvre and the Hermitage) some of the wall paintings from Tarquinia were removed and placed in museums are situated adjacent to the sites and included within the buffer zone efforts are made to acquire these private parcels for the State Authorities are aware that the property is threatened by some illegal building within the buffer zone primarily on agricultural land at Cerveteri the impact of tourism on the fragile archaeological remains The necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia preserve our information relating to Etruscan civilization both for its town planning and for its domestic architecture The surviving topography is consistent with the design of the ancient Etruscan town sites on plateaus the authenticity of the property is confirmed by the permanency of the architectural structure of the tombs whose interior safeguards painted decorations of inestimable value the preservation of the city-like plan at Banditaccia includes the preservation of the form All conservation work has been carried out in compliance with the national Restoration Code and its stated principles including the use of local materials and craft techniques The entire Banditaccia archaeological site at Cerveteri was some time ago expropriated for public use and consequently the property is state owned and is part of the ‘cultural domain’ The Monterozzi necropolis at Tarquinia has been only partially expropriated (the Calvario area and is both state owned and privately owned 42/2004 provides appropriate safeguarding measures ensuring total control over archaeological assets managed by the ministry responsible for cultural heritage Referring both to the property and the buffer zone regional and local legislation provides further regulation with reference to the protection of landscape interest and territorial governance the entire property and the buffer zone fall within the area declared by the State as a “zone of archaeological interest” and is under the strictest rules for protection which ensure that any activity on the site must be authorized by the ministry responsible for cultural heritage Excavation must be carried out or authorized by the ministry Many interdisciplinary studies have investigated the reasons for the decay of the property and the possible pre-emptive measures The main identified threats affecting the necropolises are related to environmental factors The main risks to the painted tombs result from the opening of these sites to visitors whose presence negatively impact the thermal and humidity conditions Fire risk is also present at the necropolises Management of the property falls within the responsibility of the ministry responsible for cultural heritage that assures protection A fenced area within the property is open daily to visitors (Two parking areas have been provided at the Banditaccia site for visitors and school groups.) In order to balance conservation and tourism specific admission policy regulates the entrance of visitors to each tomb controlled glass barriers preserve tombs at Tarquinia from micro-climatic variations.) Archaeological excavation and conservation are ongoing processes on the sites The management plan of the property has five distinct action plans: Knowledge Plan as well as the coordination of management plan activities the ministry responsible for cultural heritage and Cerveteri and Tarquinia municipalities signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work jointly towards the protection and rehabilitation of the areas surrounding the necropolises Regular patrols by local wardens combat illegal building in the buffer zone The two municipalities also contribute to the Management Plan’s implementation and the improvement Both Cerveteri and Tarquinia municipalities collaborate in a cultural promotion plan that provides specific educational activities in public schools LBV Magazine English Edition underwater restoration and enhancement work was completed on a Roman-era structure discovered in the locality of Campo di Mare the area had already been the scene of the discovery of a Cipollino marble column with its Ionic capital linked to a circular structure about 50 meters in diameter that is completely underwater Experts believe it to be a maritime pavilion belonging to a Roman villa whose extent and complexity are yet to be uncovered the difficult marine conditions characterized by constant waves did not prevent the teams from thoroughly documenting the remains which suffer from continuous coastal erosion The structure features a double belt of brick walls separated by about 3 meters and founded on a layer of clay This base has allowed the preservation of the wooden formwork and numerous foundation posts are constructed with a double layer of triangular bricks containing pebbles and mortar reflecting an advanced and resilient construction technique The structure preserves opus signinum coatings and opus spicatum pavements fragments of opus sectile pavement were found indicating the richness and elegance of the construction These elements suggest that the pavilion was a representative and luxurious part of a Roman villa now buried under the sand strategically located near the ancient route of the Via Aurelia The project was carried out by the Underwater Archaeology Service of the Superintendency with support from the company CSR Restauro Beni Culturali for the cleaning and restoration of the structures The Diving Unit of the Naval Station of Civitavecchia of the Guardia di Finanza provided assistance during the operations while the Municipality of Cerveteri and the Port Authority of Civitavecchia facilitated the interdiction of the work areas This first step towards understanding and protecting these remains is just the beginning Future geophysical surveys are planned in collaboration with the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) to ensure the preservation and detailed study of this valuable archaeological heritage Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email The Parthenon temple on the Acropolis of Athens housed a colossal statue made of gold and ivory carved by the famous sculptor Phidias in 438 BC Two thousand years before the Inca Empire extended its dominion over the Andes a much less known yet culturally influential society—known as the Chavín Phenomenon—had already developed numerous artistic expressions,… while the Byzantine Empire was mired in a succession crisis sought to take advantage and launched his conquest Archaeologists from universities in the United States and Denmark found deep within the Actun Uayazba Kab cave in Belize two small stone tools dated between 250 and 900 AD that… men and women gathered to play a game called Cuju A team of researchers has succeeded in recreating for the first time in a laboratory experiment a phenomenon that until now only existed as a theory in the realm of… the Cantonal Archaeology of Aargau carried out a rescue excavation between early May 2024 and the end of March 2025 The Egyptian archaeological mission affiliated with the Supreme Council of Antiquities announced the discovery of a group of defensive structures and a system of moats that could indicate… In the southeastern area of the city of Rome archaeologists excavating inside the Triton Baths within the monumental complex of the Villa di Sette… Why did some animals from ancient eras become fossils while others simply disappeared without a trace Receive our news and articles in your email for free You can also support us with a monthly subscription and receive exclusive content Bent Søndergaard’s children say they want to carry out ‘his final wishes’ and send back antiquities he bought in 1960s Their father bought the antiquities, a haul of dirt-encrusted Etruscan objects handed to him from the boot of a car, while on holiday in Italy in the 1960s. For decades they remained in the loft of the family home in Denmark exasperating his wife and perplexing his children Now, inspired by a growing movement of people choosing to return antiquities apparently looted or illegally excavated from their countries of origin, his children are trying to give the items back to Italy Buying looted grave goods is obviously wrong and returning them is the right thing to do,” said Mads Herman Søndergaard who bought the antiquities as souvenirs after visiting the Etruscan City of the Dead at Cerveteri Bent Søndergaard Photograph: Mads Herman SøndergaardHardly any money exchanged hands realising that the sellers’ claims to have had official permission to sell such objects were The antiquities are thought to date from the sixth century BC and believed to have come from an Etruscan tomb The Søndergaards never displayed them at home are waiting for instructions from Italy on how best to return them After seeing him quoted in Guardian reports on other repatriation cases they sought advice from the archaeologist Dr Christos Tsirogiannis a guest lecturer in the department of archaeology at the University of Cambridge and a leading specialist in researching international networks of trafficking antiquities He in turn had taken action after reading another report about a man who sent back 19 antiquities to their countries of origin amid growing coverage of looted ancient artefacts Each of them had followed Tsirogiannis’s advice The Etruscan objects purchased by Søndergaard include an oinochoe which Tsirogiannis described as “beautiful and intact” Mads Herman said that they needed legal advice on how to return the objects: “It’s not just that you send them back in the post but that he had suffered long-term ill-health also believed that the antiquities should be returned not least because she “wanted to clean up the house” and it would involve specialist techniques to remove the encrusted soil she would ask her husband: “Why on earth do we have these things?” ensuring that they were preserved perfectly Mads Herman said: “Although my father suddenly died before the items were returned So the heirs – my sister and I – are only carrying out his final wishes I think it should be clear why we are quite happy to return the items back to Italy.” He is now waiting for instructions from the Italian embassy on how to return the antiquities: “They have sent a request to Rome to figure out how they should proceed.” The incident is said to have occurred shortly before 8am in the Marina di Cerveteri area A person died this morning after being hit by a “Freccia Bianca” train on the Rome-Civitavecchia railway line The accident occurred shortly before 8 in the Marina di Cerveteri area Investigators are trying to establish the victim’s identity and the causes of the tragedy Read also other news on Nova News Click here and receive updates on WhatsApp Follow us on the social channels of Nova News on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Telegram May 8 (UPI) -- A fifth-century BC drinking cup is back in Cerveteri and on display after tomb raiders stole it from its excavation in the 1980s It was excavated from 1983 to 1985 and later sold to the Getty in fragments "Eurphonios' Cup: A World Heritage," which opened Thursday in Cerveteri at the Caerite National Museum in a presentation celebrating the inclusion of the city's necropolis "This is an exceptional moment for Cerveteri, the original homeland of these two masterpieces," said Cerveteri mayor Alessio Pascucci SUBMIT A STORY IDEA SUBSCRIBE uses a brush to apply red clay onto a vase modeled after an ancient southern Italian vessel who is one of only a few artists today who practice the ancient style called red-figure vase painting visited campus in April to demonstrate the craft for UArizona students about a dozen University of Arizona classics and anthropology students gathered under the eucalyptus trees in the Women's Plaza of Honor to watch an artist at work Using a series of fine-bristled brushes dipped in wet clay Roberto Paolini – an artist from Cerveteri a famous ancient town north of Rome – traced over graphite drawings on a vase modeled after an ancient southern Italian vessel made of rabbit whiskers and dipped in wet clay over graphite drawings of the figures on the vase Paolini led the long bristles of his brush just a few millimeters wide and made of rabbit whiskers Students craned their necks to see the images of people dressed in robes taking shape Paolini's painting style – called red-figure vase painting – is thousands of years old was a common pottery decorating method used by artisans in Greece and in southern Italy between the sixth and third centuries B.C Paolini is one of only four or five artists He started selling his work when people would stop by his studio asking to meet the artist By coming to campus and demonstrating his work Paolini brought to life the ancient Greek and southern Italian pottery and iconography that classics and anthropology students had spent the semester studying "You cannot teach a craft with only pictures," said Eleni Hasaki a UArizona professor of anthropology and classics and a Mediterranean archaeologist who studies ancient craftsmanship "You have to see what we call the energetics of the craft Paolini's visit was part of an international research project called A.G.A.T.H.O.C.L.E.S., a partnership between UArizona and the University of Turin in Italy that seeks to better understand the craftsmanship of ancient potters in southern Italy and Greece. Marco Serino an assistant professor at the University of Turin and an expert on southern Italian vase-painting Hasaki serves as the project's supervisor in the U.S stands for The Archaeology of Gesture: Apprenticeship Learning Experience and Social Network Analysis Agathocles was also the first tyrant of Syracuse The three-year project is funded by a grant from Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions a funding program by the European Union for doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers we're attracting students not only for the ancient resources we have but also the interdisciplinary expertise that can be applied to ancient contexts," said Hasaki who also holds appointments in the School of Anthropology and the Department of Religious Studies and Classics "No matter how you want to approach antiquities research Hasaki has spent her career studying the workspaces techniques and industry of ancient artisans Her research often overlaps three key areas: antiquity or ancient objects; artists today who use and replicate ancient techniques such as Paolini and a core group of vase-painters from Greece; and digital humanities which uses digital tools to better understand topics in the humanities Hasaki once built a replica of an ancient Greek kiln in Tucson for firing ceramics, which she uses for research and in her classes. With colleagues in the School of Geography, Development and Environment, she helped create an online map and database of ancient kiln sites in Greece A more recent project Hasaki helped lead involved taking existing databases of information about painters and potters in ancient Athens and creating a map to visualize the artists' relationships to one another – a process called social network analysis – to better understand the ceramics industry more broadly Along with professors David Killick and Daniela Triadan, Hasaki co-directs the School of Anthropology's Laboratory for Traditional Technology Complete with a ceramics studio and equipment that can process metal samples the lab allows students and researchers to recreate ancient pottery-making techniques to test hypotheses and answer questions about the processes artisans used centuries ago The practice is called experimental archaeology "It's reverse engineering a process while acknowledging that you're only coming up with one possible explanation not the final answer – but it's better than knowing nothing," Hasaki said with Hasaki and Paolini during Paolini's demonstration with students in April many of Hasaki's undergraduate students created pots in the lab while documenting the process are valuable for understanding the technological processes of ancient materials "They understand much better when they go through a process they learn patience and perseverance," she said "It enhances their appreciation for the course material and I think it will stay with them for life when they go to museums After reading several of Hasaki's papers about ancient artisan workspaces and social network analysis Serino thought she would be a valuable collaborator on the A.G.A.T.H.O.C.L.E.S "I thought that my project would fit very well with her expertise and then I realized that the University of Arizona had the facilities to do experimental archaeology and to do research to social network analysis," Serino said "All of this fit very well with some parts of my project an honors student majoring in anthropology was originally nervous to take Pottery Craft and Society in Ancient Greece a course Hasaki teaches mostly to graduate students But Hasaki's teaching style – blending lectures with opportunities for students to work hands-on with ceramic replicas of ancient vessels and to use digital tools to visualize the materials – made the class more accessible than Moore had expected Students spent significant time in Hasaki's lab some of them creating their own pottery projects with the help of Tucson ceramic artist Cynthia Jones By keeping students so immersed in the pottery-making process Hasaki and the course "rehumanized the past." "A lot of people look at the object and don't think about where it came from," Moore said "Eleni really rooted the human element: 'Who exactly were crafting these objects that we would find and what were their lives like?'" Moore was among the students who gathered around Paolini at the Women's Plaza during his demonstration in April Watching an artist replicate the movements and techniques of ancient potters further emphasized the human element behind the inanimate objects the class had spent the semester studying it's easy to forget about what goes into the material items most people use every day "Thinking about the ancient world is in sharp contrast to that because it's all person labor," Moore said "There is a human or multiple people who worked on this one object so that it can be used." Moore will complete archaeological field school in Ferns studying the ruins of a 12th-century monastery will help rehumanize the past in Ireland and any future archaeological experiences "It's really valuable to teach students how to critically look at old datasets and create new meaning from them "It's about teaching new skills that feed into inspiring students to ask new questions about the past and the impact they're going to have for future research." CONTACT US SUBSCRIBE We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes with Tucson being home to the O’odham and the Yaqui The University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings University Information Security and Privacy © 2025 The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona. Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker At home at Castello RuspoliInstagram: @melusineruspoliBorn in Paris to French model Theresa Genest and eccentric aristocrat Alessandro Principe Ruspoli (the Prince of Cerveteri), she was raised between the French capital and the family’s historic seat, Casello Ruspoli, just a few miles outside of Rome. Melusine Ruspoli at the Fendi show at the Coliseum in RomeInstagram: @melusineruspoliHer late father was an infamous playboy in his day, working occasionally as an actor in Italian cinema (although he did also appear in 2007’s The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: The Perils of Cupid) with the likes of Brigitte Bardot, Salvador Dalí and Truman Capote being part of his inner circle. As befits European royalty, Melusine made her debut aged 19 at the Bal des Débutantes in Paris in 2013, alongside fellow It girl Lady Amelia Windsor (the two still follow each other on Instagram). She chose a pale pink floral gown by Chanel with cape detail, featuring elegant layers of tulle - an unsurprising choice as she is a friend of the fashion house, sitting front row at their Paris Fashion Week shows. Melusine Ruspoli wakling the Dolce & Gabbana show during Milan Fashion Week in 2017ShutterstockShe’s expressed a desire to work in the fashion industry, perhaps in public relations - and having inherited her mother’s exquisite beauty has also walked in a Dolce & Gabbana show and modelled in a Salvatore Ferragamo campaign - taking the opportunity to additionally intern for the latter brand. As well as Chanel, she's also sat front row at Tod's, Alberta Ferretti and Fendi. She has a wealth of jet-set connections from the international social scene, including Lady Kitty Spencer, Flora Ogilvy, Ayesha Shand (the daughter of the late Mark Shand and Clio Goldsmith) and fellow Italian aristocrat Chiara di Carcaci, daughter of the Duke of Carcaci - who she sees at events like the Animal Ball, which she attended wearing Alberta Ferretti in 2019. but one of the clues they left behind is a network of sunken paths said to connect the land of the living with the land of the dead Wildflowers grazed my legs as I hiked down from the volcanic-rock hilltop fortress of Pitigliano into the Tuscan valley below I crossed a burbling stream and followed a winding trail as it inclined rose as high as 25m on either side of the trench I found myself in I felt spooked – and I'm not the only one who's felt that way in vie cave like this These subterranean trails have been linked with lore of devils and deities for centuries nobody really went there," said Elena Ronca a hiking guide who has been leading tours around this area of Tuscany That's because there wasn't much information about the trails nor about the Etruscan civilisation that built them The ancients didn't leave road maps or written records and many pathways were abandoned and overgrown with shrubs archaeological discoveries in tombs across central Italy have revealed more about the Etruscans and their mysterious vie cave which are said to connect the land of the living with the land of the dead vie cave (via cava is the singular) were walled pathways used to travel from the highlands to the riverbanks and vice versa While they're found in various places across central Italy (where the Etruscans thrived from 900 BCE until they were absorbed into the Roman Empire) the vie cave here in southern Tuscany between the towns of Pitigliano Sorano and Sovana are among the oldest and most intact "It's incredible that the vie cave have lasted so long," Ronca said each vie cave I walked was different than the next Others were lush jungles of moss and ferns contained by giant walls or residential roads wide enough to fit a car or two the vie cave were carved only a few feet deep using a rock-cutting technique first seen in ancient Egypt that involved drilling a hole into the tuff inserting a piece of wood and then filling the hole with water lengthening and deepening the road to its desired size "It's not a simple and easy technique," she said the vie cave were further altered by various empires stairs were added and ravines were deepened but even the original vie cave had a way to channel out the rainwater: in each path I walked I could see some form of water trough system cut into the tuff rock to prevent erosion and drain rainwater "Etruscans were extremely skilled hydraulic engineers," Ronca said "We know that they levelled some lakes and then drained huge wetlands in order to have lands that were possible to farm." As I continued my hike, I came across deep diagonal pits with rock monuments above them that appeared to be carved by human hands. These were Etruscan necropolises with tombs for individuals or families cut deep into the tuff and filled with gold food and clothing for safe passage into the afterlife Unfortunately, many Etruscan tombs in the area were robbed long ago. As English writer D H Lawrence wrote in Etruscan Places after a visit to Tuscany in the 1920s: ''to the tombs we must go: or to the museums containing the things that have been rifled from the tombs" an archaeologist working with the Italian government in the region have managed to find pottery and painted frescoes in the necropolises that may answer some questions about Etruscans and their vie cave "Most of the Etruscan tombs have been robbed since ancient times but the robbers used to take just the gold," he said it's quite interesting because you can still find pottery and stuff that is really really important for the historical research," he said Etruscans' traditional tomb frescoes didn't last in the Pitigliano area since paint doesn't stick to tuff very well but by studying famous frescoes in necropolises like the ones beneath the city of Tarquinia Nejrotti believes that vie cave might have hosted celebratory funeral parades Some historians posit that this could be because Etruscans believed life continued after death and the vie cave were pathways to the afterlife "Etruscans believed that the trees were gods and the main important gods were underground," Ronca said "So probably the idea of digging vie cave through the rock was a way to connect with these gods found in the Etruscan necropolis in Cerveteri shows a man and woman held in equal status "Roman women were just the mother of the family – they had lots of power "On the contrary in the Etruscan world females were almost [the same] as men; they could rule a family We have some magistrates that were women." the most interesting theory suggested by artefacts and archaeological research is that Etruscans seem to have had a limited impact on the environment compared with the Romans the vie cave caused comparatively little detrimental impact and were made using materials found in the area – possibly because the Etruscans believed certain natural features (like trees and rivers) were gods and that man was connected to nature "The Romans used to be more aggressive with the environment and they used to change the landscape more deeply," Nejrotti said "You can see that the traces that the Etruscan people left in the landscape were quite soft maybe this is something we can learn from them." a former Etruscan city that has long been built over I wondered why I knew so little about Etruscans and their fascinating vie cave they still don't teach about the Etruscans… They are really underestimated and undervalued."  Ronca said that in the past five to eight years and especially during the pandemic lockdowns when Italians spent more time exploring their own regions vie cave and their necropolises have grown in popularity I had to force people to come and see the vie cave," Ronca said vie cave will be as busy as more well-known Roman historical sites Ronca hopes we will do our best to preserve them We cannot just remake them," Ronca said Slowcomotion is a BBC Travel series that celebrates slow self-propelled travel and invites readers to get outside and reconnect with the world in a safe and sustainable way Join more than three million BBC Travel fans by liking us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter called "The Essential List". 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Searching for the sunken kingdom of DwarkaIn the Mahabharata, the ancient kingdom of Dwarka is said to have sunk beneath the Arabian Sea. he graduated in literature with a classical focus in 1991 from the University “Federico II” of Naples and at the same university he obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology at the University “La Sapienza” of Rome He began working immediately after his doctorate carrying out research activities for the Institute for Etruscan-Italic Archaeology in Rome (later to become the Institute for Studies on Italic Civilizations and the Ancient Mediterranean) of the CNR a position he has never abandoned since: in fact Bellelli has taught at several universities: he has been an adjunct professor of Etruscology and Italic Antiquities at the School of Specialization in Archaeology of the University “Federico II” of Naples at the University of Palermo and at the University of Naples “L’Orientale.” For Bellelli also an experience as editor in chief of the scientific journal Mediterranea Annual Notebooks of the Institute for Ancient Mediterranean Studies He is also a corresponding member of the National Institute of Etruscan and Italic Studies in Florence Bellelli is very knowledgeable about the area in addition to being one of the best working Etruscologists also in charge of the CNR archaeological excavations in the urban area of Cerveteri In the city there is much satisfaction with the appointment: “We have worked for almost ten years to obtain the establishment of the Archaeological Park an achievement that was not at all taken for granted and indeed many told us was impossible,” said Cerveteri Mayor Alessio Pascucci with the appointment of Bellelli as the first director and with the choice of a person of such great depth and quality as really opens a new chapter in the history of our cities The choice of Vincenzo Bellelli is [...] in the groove of professionalism merit and investment in the future.” Etruscan Tombs and Museum in Northern Lazio Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times (virtual: https://meet.google.com/iwn-ovum-egw) Professor Colivicchi and one of our recent MA graduates are presenting a paper at the Universita degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” for the Department of Arts and Cultural Heritage’s Conference "Work in progress in Cerveteri between Canada and Europe": Cisterns and features for water management in the area of the former Vigna Marini Vitalini wells and conduits for water management excavated by the Queen’s University team at the Etruscan city of Caere The sequence of building phases will be reconstructed and put in the broader context of the site Tel: : 613.533.2745 Web Privacy Queen’s University is situated on the territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek Home / announcements/info / Archaeological site of Gabii Charlotte (entering 4th yr GRS and Law), Nigel (just graduated GRS and History, starting an MA in Public History at Western) are helping Professor Laura Banducci study artefacts from the archaeological site of Gabii until the end of June They visited the Etruscan necropolis at Cerveteri which was particularly special because Professor Banducci first taught them both about this site when they took her course on Pre-Roman archaeology in Winter 2021 Charlotte:  Working in the finds lab for the legacy project has been a great experience we have gained many skills like technical drawing Banducci is an inspiring teacher and mentor who is equipping and training new and aspiring archaeologists in an Italian context It has also been great to visit places in the area like Cerveteri which I first learned about in her class Its construction dates back to the late 15th century but over the centuries the castle has long been the subject of fierce disputes between the most important Roman families Today it is a popular venue for important events but above all it is a year-round museum that tells the story of these lands through an important collection of ancient weapons not to mention the sumptuous decorations and frescoes that dot the entire palace From the top of the hill on which it is perched it dominates the entire area and offers enchanting views in which the deep blue of the volcanic lake blends with the green of the woods is a real jewel of medieval architecture that winds all around the magnificent Orsini-Odescalchi castle Here is a veritable maze of narrow streets surrounded by ancient houses built of lava stone that offer the visitor enchanting views Also deserving special attention are the 13th-century Cathedral of Santo Stefano an old defensive bastion now an evocative terrace overlooking the lake One of the most picturesque places on all of Lake Bracciano is definitely Anguillara Sabazia This ancient fishing village is perhaps less well known than neighboring Bracciano but it offers equally picturesque views and vistas all set in a relaxed atmosphere where you can best enjoy what these lands have to offer In Anguillara Sabazia there are several beaches where one can find refreshment away from the crowds but it is above all the historic center that enraptures visitors’ hearts It is a splendid agglomeration of Romanesque-style architecture including the 16th-century gate and the medieval keep that houses the Museum of Rural Civilization and Popular Culture is the 18th-century collegiate church of Santa Maria Assunta while there are numerous archaeological sites around the town including the Neolithic village found at La Marmotta the church of Santa Maria Maggiore is believed to have been built on the site of an earlier Etruscan temple the present building was erected around the year 1000 and its vicissitudes have gone hand in hand with the history of Cerveteri The church was expanded in 1959 with the addition of a new part that grafts onto the ancient one The latter is a magnificent example of the Romanesque style although the façade presents a mixture of different styles since it has long been remodeled over the centuries Among the most important works preserved inside is the Comatesque-style flooring made by Tuscan artists in the 13th century which recently became part of the new Cerveteri and Tarquinia Archaeological Park is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the earliest examples of sites referable to the Etruscan civilization The Banditaccia necropolis is to date one of the largest in the ancient world the entire area is crossed by a burial route more than 2 kilometers long and its origins are traced from the 9th century B.C In its approximately 400 hectares of extension the Banditaccia necropolis preserves many thousands of burials although the fenced-in part that can be visited today covers about 10 hectares and has 400 mounds onward large mounds with burial chambers dug in the tufa and decorated with motifs inspired by the forms of domestic architecture developed imposing funerary monuments such as the famous Tomb of the Reliefs are from later centuries It is located inside the impressive 14th-century Ruspoli Castle and is considered one of the most important places to discover the secrets of Etruscan civilization. The Cerite National Museum houses many artifacts that have come to light from excavations in the area of the ancient city and one can take a real journey back in time admiring grave goods found in the Sorbo necropolis and then more vases ceramics and urns dated between the 7th and 6th centuries BC The museum tour then ends with some objects from the Manganello temple and the Odescalchi collection which passed into the hands of the Silvestrine congregation in the 1940s has long hosted boys from war-torn families from all parts of Italy lodging and education; today its premises are a sought-after destination for conferences and events Palazzo Altieri is a shining example of 16th-century architecture and its events have followed step by step those of these lands Construction began at the behest of Giorgio III Santacroce whose family later passed ownership first to the Orsini and then to the Altieri Today it houses a museum divided into 14 rooms that showcase ancient paintings and precious collections such as those kept in the gallery of the Popes which includes portraits depicting successive popes in the history of the Church Also imposing and particularly impressive is the large park surrounding the palace which originally served as a hunting garden The former seat of the bishopric of Sutri, Palazzo Doebbing has been the religious and cultural center of the entire town for centuries It owes its name to Father Joseph Bernard Doebbing a German by birth and elected bishop of Nepi and Sutri in 1900 It was Monsignor Doebbing who wanted the renovation of the bishop’s palace in Sutri promoting important works on the education of youth The building has since been completely refurbished as of 2010 and is now one of the most beautiful exhibition venues in Lazio that manages to combine together its ancient charm with the modern spirit embodied by the many artists who have exhibited their works here This town of ancient origins dominates the northern part of Lake Bracciano Trevignano romano lies on the heights of the Sabatini Mountains nestled in a cove on the slopes of Mount Rocca Romana Its historic center winds all around the Vico fortress is above all the unique atmosphere that succeeds a walk among the characteristic houses of Trevignano set before the magnificent views of the lake and the surrounding hills Very beautiful then are the many churches in this village among which stands out that of the Madonna assumed into heaven that is located at the highest point of the historic center By Elyssa Bernard Looking for an amazing and diverse Italian vacation off the beaten path Why not consider spending some time exploring the Lazio coast near Rome This stunning region is home to everything from ancient archeological sites to lush nature reserves to some of the best beaches near Rome attractions and activities on the Lazio coastline: With so much to see and do in central Rome it can be hard to know if you should even venture outside the city This guide to the Lazio coast near Rome is for anyone who:  I recently visited the sites on this page when I joined a 4-day trip put together by Roma Experiences and sponsored by the Regione Lazio is the second-most populated region in Italy Rome is the capital of the region as well as the capital of Italy Roma Experience can organize anything we did (and more!) as a day trip Much of this area is Etruscan country but there are plenty of things to see and do You can choose between Etruscan tomb sites Ancient Rome and Etruscan archeological sites Roma Experience has a way of getting you into sites that are normally closed to the public Vulci archeological park just 1.5 hours north of Rome on the Lazio coast in the Viterbo province hosts a stunning collection of Etruscan tombs and other important archeological sites but it's easy to focus on just a few main sections in a central location Highlights include Etruscan tombs and sprawling ruins of Ancient Roman villas Thanks to Roma Experience an Etruscan tomb (4th century BCE) famous for its detailed frescoes and named for the Italian archeologist Alessandro François who discovered it in 1857 the Torlonia family removed most of these frescoes from the Vulci archeological park and have them in a private collection there are remnants of the frescoes in the tomb and you can glean a lot of the history from the tomb itself and the informative panels outside the tomb Vulci is also a nature reserve with a dedicated butterfly valley As a bonus, there is a lovely place to eat right inside the park, Casaletto Mengarelli From their enviable position on a hilltop overlooking green fields restorative lunch in a bucolic setting as you fortify for the next steps of your trip don't miss the short stop along the way to see the Etruscan Badia castle You can either get a snap from the road or you can stop by and take a walk around the castle with its moat (yes as you'll get to see the bridge of the same name The bridge was actually originally made by the Etruscans although it was later modified by the Romans The Etruscans were a civilization that flourished in what is now central Italy over 2,900 years ago Etruscan society was incredibly rich and complex and remarkable artistic and engineering achievements Their importance to the development of Roman culture cannot be overstated Etruscan art and architecture heavily influenced artistic styles in Rome Etruscan pottery was incredibly sophisticated and featured a range of intricate designs and techniques while Etruscan tombs - large underground structures used for burial - have given archeologists important insights into Etruscan society Etruscans are recognized as one of the most important groups in understanding ancient Rome A perfect way to spend the second half of the day is by visiting nearby Tuscania a charming Etruscan town in the Viterbo province The most important sites in Tuscania are the Etruscan Queen's tomb and the Romanesque churches of San Pietro (Saint Peter) and Santa Maria Maggiore (Saint Mary Major.) Saint Peter was built in the 8th century under the order of Charlemagne It has an almost intact original Cosmatesque floor and an easily accessible and non-claustrophobic crypt Saint Mary Major has a similar façade to that of Saint Peter including a jaw-dropping Last Judgement on the apse Also in this area, you can visit the Piano degli Alpaca Here you can learn about these gentle animals and even feed them or take them for a walk The animals are therapeutic for kids and adults alike and this can also include those with special needs We left the farm with smiles that lasted the rest of the day Civitavecchia is another ancient Etruscan town but today it's best known as the city's main port An excellent shore excursion or day trip from Rome are the nearby ruins of the Terme Taurine The baths are among the most well-preserved Roman ruins in the south Etrurian area You can clearly see the difference in the architectural styles between the time of the baths' construction in the 1st century BCE and the later expansion under Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century CE A bit further up the coast, close to Civitavecchia, another site for a Rome day trip or shore excursion is Tarquinia an Etruscan town known for its well-preserved Necropolis with stunningly painted tombs The best way to explore the necropolis is by taking a guided tour because it is so rich with art and history and having an expert explain it all will bring it to life for you.  housed within the Palazzo Vitelleschi in the town of Tarquinia The museum has a superb collection of Etruscan art and artifacts and is definitely worth a visit One more site to visit in the area if you want to explore nature and Etruscan tombs is Cerveteri Both Tarquinia and Cerveteri are UNESCO heritage sites Cerveteri is home to the Necropolis “Banditaccia” one of the largest and most important Etruscan necropolises in all of Italy You can easily walk among the tombs and enter many of them to glimpse a fascinating insight into these ancient people Roma Experience arranged for the custodian of the private prince’s palace to allow us inside and show us around (no photos allowed but trust me it was absolutely gorgeous and a very special experience!) Locals and tourists alike flock to Santa Severa and to neighboring Santa Marinella to enjoy the beautiful beaches and fresh seafood, but there is a world of history, art, and nature if you care to explore further. This area is also perfect to escape the heat of the city center during the summer The castle is a massive 15th-century fortress that overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea It's well worth a visit for the sea coast views alone but there is also an interesting museum with exhibits on the Etruscans And luckily for us, thanks to Roma Experience we were able to visit the usually-closed baptistery Just next to the castle along the wide sandy beach Pyrgi was an important trade center on the Tyrrhenian Coast during the Etruscan period and you can still see remnants of the quays where ships would have docked The impact of the ancient settlements was significant, the Villa Giulia Museum of Etruscan art in Rome you will find the nature reserve Macchiatonda where you can enjoy a stroll on the protected beach Just a bit inland and above the beautiful beaches of the Lazio coast a charming medieval hill town with lovely views of the sea A climb to the Frangipani Rock will allow for some spectacular views out and is the perfect spot for taking in the setting sun And finally, the cherry on top of this fabulous itinerary is a stay at the world-renowned 5-star luxury resort of La Posta Vecchia La Posta Vecchia offers its guests the ultimate in luxury and relaxation Once an annex of the privately-owned Odescalchi castle next door the building fell into ruin and was eventually completely renovated by J they discovered a stunning Ancient Roman villa from the 2nd century BCE underneath and today you can visit this amazing and well-curated archeological site when you stay here Here is a map summarising the key points of interest throughout Lazio: Download and print this map without the watermark for just $7.99 here: You can take public transport to some of the spots, in particular the fine sand beaches near Rome Some trains also go to the Etruscan cities of Cerveteri and Tarquinia Wondering how to get from Rome to Florence by train? Visit my page to find out! Vulci archeological park – Casaletto Mengarelli: Piani della Marina hotel – personal chef Civitavecchia – Giusto Gusto: Santa Severa – Pino al Mare Ladispoli – Papeete right on the boardwalk: La Posta Vecchia hotel restaurant Cerveteri – Barrel Osteria nel Borgo: Take a look at these helpful links to companies we use and trust: Within this post there are some affiliate links for products and services. For more details about our affiliate policy click here Get your 100% free Rome trip planner now We are committed to respecting your data. Click for our Privacy Policy Please come over to the private Romewise Facebook group and join in the conversation You will also meet other Rome lovers and experts Come join in the fun Read here about our sponsorship policy Disclosure: If you make a purchase through a link on this page I may receive a small commission - at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my site Get the most out of Romewise About Me Weather in Rome Money Matters Getting to Rome Accommodation Things to Do Must Sees Getting Around Eating Drinking Florencewise Napleswise Atlantawise Citywise LLC OUR SHOP Copyright © 2009-2025 by Elyssa Bernard, Romewise.com | All Rights Reserved. Wanted in RomeMagazine Walking, hiking, and trekking routes at just "a stone's throw" from Rome, all in the Lazio Region. With its numerous paths and trails, Italy is a paradise for trekking lovers, and since the crisis linked to covid has limited the possibility of sport and movement, a hike in the fresh air is an excellent way to experience Italy’s outdoors while getting great exercise. From the sea to the mountains, the Lazio region offers a range of landscapes and paths to shake off the constraints of Rome, open your eyes and stretch your legs.  It is one of the best regions of Italy to combine nature, history and hiking.  The vicinity to Rome, the cradle of the Roman Empire, makes Lazio a treasure trove for those determined to get outside, from children to history buffs, to athletes.  Here are 10 suggestions for walking, hiking, and trekking routes at just "a stone's throw" from Rome. The first route on our list leads to Cerveteri Falls a wonderful and little-known place.  The ruins of a city that the Romans called Caere can be discovered through the Necropolis of Banditaccia.  You can explore different types of Etruscan tombs and it is one of the UNESCO wonders of Lazio local associations have collaborated to restore a part of the ancient remains.  Also read: Best lakes around Rome  After the visit to the Necropolis, continue towards the Via degli Inferi and the Necropolis of Laghetto.  Among the most majestic points of this trek is are the natural waterfalls located at the end of the route.  There is a bookshop, bar and picnic tables at the site of the Necropolis.  Ceveteri has restaurants.  Starting Point:  a dirt track just before you reach the town of Cerveteri leads to the Fosso della Manganella, which then leads to the archaeological area of the Banditaccia (this part is well-marked by road signs).  The return route is the same.  By Bus:  COTRAL buses leave from Lepanto Station (Metro A).  The journey time is approximately 1 hour, depending on traffic in Rome.  The bus stop in Cerveteri is a 25 minute walk from the archeological site of the Necropolis.  By Car:  Takes about 1 hour. Level of difficulty:  Medium.  Suitable shoes advisable due to watery ground. Monte Soratte is a singular mountain.  It is 691 meters high and dominates the landscape from the Autostrada del Sole the Via Flaminia and the two Rome-Florence railway lines.  Beautiful and wild it has been a destination for excursions since the late nineteenth century.  Often called “the balcony of Rome” as it boasts 360 degree views or the “Green Lung” for its well- preserved nature.  Monte Soratte was used as a place of worship since ancient times.  Also read: Best day trips from Rome    Sant’ Oreste has a few restaurants and bars for lunch.  Also read: Exploring Rome's Parks Starting Point:  From the center of the town of Sant’ Oreste follow the Via Degli Eremi road.  There are a variety of well- marked paths to follow By Bus:  COTRAL buses leave from Saxa Rubra (A line) and the journey time is 1 hour and 50 minutes.  By Car:  About 1 hour from Rome Level of Difficulty:  Medium.  There is a steep point to reach the church and monastery Visit: The church of San Silvestro from the 6th century (on weekends or by appointment), the bunker of Monte Soratte, and the Natural History Museum of Monte Soratte. The Park of Veio spans from between the main roads via Cassia and via Flaminia and goes south along the Grande Raccordo Anulare.  This green belt around Rome produces a mitigating effect on the climate and ensures continuity of the natural environment Also read: Mountains become accessible to the disabled in Austria and Italy Starting Point:  From the station of Magliano Romano, next to the junction of the provincial road to Campagnano on the Via Flaminia.   Next to the road is a parking lot, just beyond is the “Ostello di Veio”.  Follow an asphalt path to the entrance gate to the park. How to get there: By car:  40 minutes from Rome.  Hours:  Monday- Friday 9.30am- 1pm The via Francigena is the aorta of Europe.  It connects the English cathedral of Canterbury to St Switzerland and five Italian regions.  Then it approaches Rome right through the countryside protected by the Park of Veio.  The route we propose starts from the medieval village of Formello guarded by a castle well worth a visit.  Then continues along via di Monte Michele a dirt road that leads to a necropolis.  Finally you wander around the ancient city in the southern part of the trek a nature- filled gem in the heart of Rome.  Here is where you can visit the Sanctuary of Portonaccio di Veio Also read: Canale Monterano: deserted village near Rome How to get there:  By car:  40 minutes from Rome.  Visit: The Museo dell'Agro Veientano and the Shrine of Portonaccio The park of Veio is one of the main attractions of the Roman countryside.  Its vastness offers several possibilities for visits with well marked paths.  The name Veio refers to the ancient Etruscan city that once stood on the land.  The charm of this place is provided by the Shrine of Portonaccio built on the ruins of the temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva and dating to 510 B.C thrown into a ditch around 200 AD and found in 1916.  But the most exciting part of this route is the Ponte Sodo.  It is a seventy-meter tunnel dug by the Etruscans to allow the flow of the waters of the Cremera Also read: Wolves get close to centre of Rome Starting point: The entrance to the archeological site is located on Via Riserva Campetti.  Begin the trek at Mola waterfalls, continue to the Portonaccio shrine, and finish with the Ponte Sodo.  Return route is the same.  We recommend lunch at the Antico Mulino a Vejo restaurant near the waterfalls. Getting there:  By Bus: No. 32 to Isola Farnese/ Riserva Campetti  By car: 40 minutes from Rome.  Visit:  The Shrine of Portonaccio Mount Gennaro is the mountain of the Romans.  From anywhere in Rome you look you can see it.  With a height of 1300 metres it dominates the city.  It was the sacred mountain of Janus and is the natural barrier to the east of the Roman countryside.  The classic route to climb to the top of this mountain crosses the Cavalera Valley and then the Pratone (a large grassy field).  We recommend an uphill hike which allows you to overlook the Scarpellata gorge from above and climbs directly from the small town of Mercellina Also read: Visiting the Vatican Museums: All You Need to Know Getting there: By Car: 1 hour from Rome.  The Route: one hour from Prato Favale to Pratone; one hour and a quarter from Pratone to Monte Gennaro; three quarters of an hour from Monte Gennaro to Pratone; one hour from Pratone to Prato Favale The trail from Genzano to Nemi and the lake offer beautiful places to walk.  The medieval village of Nemi is one of the most alluring of the Castelli Romani area. The views stretch as far as the Tyrrhenian Sea on clear days.  A delicious treat for those who choose to walk this routes that you can buy fragrant strawberries also offered in bars and pastry shops.  Also read: All you need to know about lake Nemi On the opposite bank of the crater belt of Lake Nemi is Genzano which is celebrated during Corpus Christi.  The walk that connects the two towns follows the road of the southern Francigena then strays from the famous trail and continues towards the Piagge meadows up to the upper part of Genzano town.  An easy descent leads to the lake and the Museum of Roman Ships not to be missed.  The excursion is a ring Also read: Must-see museums in Rome Getting there:  By Bus:  From the Anagnina Metro stop in Rome, take the CoTral bus heading to Genzano.  At Genzano, change buses, an get on the one marked Nemi.  By car: 1 hour.  The route: three quarters of an hour from Nemi to Fontana Tempesta; one hour from Fontana Tempesta to Piazza Dante Alighieri; half an hour from Piazza Dante Alighieri to the Museo delle Navi; one hour from the Museo delle Navi in Nemi Amatrice, in the province of Rieti, is known not only for its namesake dish, a symbol of Lazio cuisine in Italy and around the world, but also for the terrible earthquake that devastated the village on August 24 2016 along with the town of Accumuli.  Just outside of the city of Rome here you can discover some great trekking routes along the  2,458- meter climb of Gorzano as well as on the slightly lower altitudes of Cima Lepri Pizzo di Sevo and Pizzo di Moscio.  However they are recommended for more experienced hikers.  Also read: Pope visits Amatrice Getting there from Rome:  By car: About 2 hours.  Journey time: three quarters of an hour from Retrosi to Capricchia; an hour and a half from Capricchia to the junction for Monte Gorzano; an hour from the junction for Monte Gorzano to Colle Piano; an hour and a quarter from Colle Piano to San Martino; three quarters of an hour from San Martino to Retrosi. Best time to do it: from May to October when a farmer broke through an Etruscan tomb with his plow Since then looting and vandalism have damaged the remains of this very rich archaeological area.  But today thanks to the Municipality of Montalto di Castro the ruins and the Archaeological Park are protected in part because of the taxes paid by the nearby Enel electrical center.  Also read: I Predatori dell’Arte at Villa Giulia The course along the river and the Pellicone Lake, surrounded by rocky walls, make the area charming.  The Castle and the magnificent Abbadia Bridge, which crosses the Fiora gorge upstream on the Pellicone Lake, and houses a small archaeological museum, are all worth a visit. Ph: leoks / Shutterstock.com How to get there: By Car: 1 hour and 30 minutes from Rome Walking time: three quarters of an hour from the ticket office to the Fiora; half an hour from the Fiora to the Laghetto del Pellicone; half an hour from the Laghetto del Pellicone to the ticket office. Visits: François Tomb (please contact the park ticket office) and the Archaeological Museum of the Abbadia Castle Also read: Living on the Appia Antica You just have to pay attention to the passing vehicles.  On weekdays it is best to reach the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella by bus and walk along the ancient basolato of Capo di Bove or start the walk by crossing the Caffarella.  Bring snacks or have a picnic along the way How to get there:  By Bus: From Piazza Venezia take the 118 public bus to Basilica S Sebastiano.  By Car: About 20 minutes from the city center Walking time: one hour from Piazzale Numa Pompilio to Capo di Bove; three quarters of an hour from Capo di Bove to Casal Rotondo; one quarter of an hour from Casal Rotondo to Via Appia Nuova; three quarters of an hour from Casal Rotondo to Capo di Bove; one hour from Capo di Bove to Piazzale Numa Pompilio Visits: Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella Wanted in Rome ™ is member of the Wanted World Wide Ltd network.Click here to find out more about our Network or Follow us on social networks © 2025 / 2026 Wanted World Wide LTD Network in a road accident on the Via Aurelia at kilometer 30 in Rome Three cars were involved in the accident and on the spot in addition to the firefighters of the Cerveteri detachment also the 118 operators who rescued the injured by transporting them in red code to the emergency room of the hospitals in the area The road is closed to vehicular traffic for the entire duration of the rescue intervention The road network is once again usable after 4 Of the six people injured in the road accident on the Via Aurelia in the Cerveteri area (and not Rome as previously reported) The carabinieri were also on site for the findings of the case Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries The 14th-century Orvieto Cathedral in Orvieto is just over an hour from Rome With so much to see in Rome, you’d be forgiven for never making it outside the city limits, but the wealth of attractions doesn’t end with the Colosseum or the Vatican. If you choose to explore the region of Lazio Here are the very best places near Rome to visit on a day trip – and how to get there How to get to Ostia Antica from Rome: Take the Ostia Lido train from Stazione San Paolo in Rome (next to Piramide metro station) and get off at Ostia Antica The pre-Roman Etruscans left an indelible mark on the civilizations that followed, but much of their culture remains mysterious. However, one of the best-preserved Etruscan ruins is just outside Rome at the Necropoli di Banditaccia in Cerveteri this haunting necropolis is a veritable city of the dead with streets squares and terraces of circular grass-topped tombs known as tumuli Once you’ve explored these, complete your Etruscan education at the Museo Nazionale Cerite back in the historic center Da Bibbo is a cut above your average osteria How to get to Cerveteri from Rome: Regular Cotral buses serve Cerveteri from Cornelia metro station The necropolis is a mile from the city center How to get to Pompeii from Rome: There are frequent high-speed trains that leave Termini station for Naples take the Circumvesuviana train to the stop at Pompeii Rumor has it that the high-speed train will eventually link up directly to Pompeii which will reduce the journey time to less than two hours the country estate that once belonged to Roman Emperor Hadrian The spectacular grounds are filled with towering ruins that languish beneath gnarled olive trees and enormous umbrella pines How to get to Tivoli from Rome: Tivoli is accessible by regular Cotral bus from Ponte Mammolo metro station and takes about 50 minutes Another option is a train from Stazione Termini to Tivoli To get to Villa Adriana from Tivoli’s historic center take local CAT bus number 4 or 4X from Largo Garibaldi Head due north of Rome to explore some sites that most people miss as they duck in and out of the capital. Start your day exploring the Parco dei Mostri in Bomarzo a 16th-century sculpture garden populated by evocative structures that the first owner of the property commissioned to cope with the grief of losing his wife Known as Tuscia, the northern Lazio area that borders Umbria and Tuscany is a great place to soak in thermal waters that flow naturally from the volcanic soil underneath. The Terme dei Papi was used as a private bath for the popes who briefly resided in Viterbo in the Middle Ages and it's now a popular year-round site for health lovers.  How to get to Tuscia from Rome: Viterbo is connected to Rome via train at Termini or Ostiense stations get off at the Attigliano-Bomarzo station on the same line the A1 motorway is well connected to Viterbo and Bomarzo Take the more scenic Cassia for a quieter drive If the seven hills of Rome don’t provide you with the adrenaline rush you’re looking for, head east to one of Italy’s finest national parks at Monti Simbruini Close to Rome and accessible by public transport or car Monti Simbruini has hundreds of kilometers of bike trails walking itineraries and historical landmarks the park is easy to navigate and is studded with small towns you can use as reference points or stops along the way Admire rare species of flora and fauna and stop for a picnic in front of geological wonders like the Karst formations in Piano di Camposecco or Mola Vecchia How to get to Monti Simbruini from Rome: The trip to Subiaco, one of the larger towns in the park, takes about an hour by car from the center of Rome. Visitors can explore the park at their leisure. All the towns of the park are connected to Rome via local Cotral buses. Consult the map on the park’s website to plan your trip few that can claim to have been saved by hippies the historic center of Calcata was condemned by the local government in the 1930s for fear it would collapse This prompted a mass exodus of residents and left the center abandoned until artists began to squat in the town in the 1960s Over time the squatters purchased the homes the government rescinded the order and residents began restoring the ancient buildings Now it's a tiny but vibrant community with cafes art galleries and enough stories to fill up a day How to get to Calcata from Rome: Calcata is an easy drive from Rome along the Cassia/SS2bis motorway and the finely edited menu of local dishes How to get to Orvieto from Rome: Regular trains serve Orvieto from Rome Termini (1 hour 15 minutes) it’s just off the main north–south A1 autostrada the Giotto-designed campanile and the Battistero di San Giovanni one of the city’s historic cafes that are worth the visit How to get to Florence from Rome: Regular trains connect Rome Termini with Florence’s Stazione di Santa Maria Novella How to get to Castelli Romani from Rome: Direct trains serve Frascati and take about 30 minutes Castel Gandolfo is on the Albano Laziale line How to get to Naples from Rome: Naples and Rome are well connected via rail link including the Frecciarossa service. The archaeological excavations at the site of Pyrgi now boast a live webcam that will allow all interested parties to observe the dig in real time thanks to a project implemented by Sapienza University the CNR National Institute of Crystallography the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and the Lazio Region Pyrgi is not only one of the most important sanctuary and maritime ports of ancient Caere but also one of Sapienza’s first great university excavations played a key role in the history of the ancient Mediterranean was one of the most important Etruscan cities and became wealthy through its control of maritime traffic control it was the first landing port for those sailing the Tyrrhenian from the South The Sanctuary of Pyrgi is one of the few mentioned by ancient literary sources and is related to crucial historical events determining the political and economic balance of the Mediterranean area one of the most important discoveries of Italian archaeology which are underway in the area between the sanctuary and the port are contributing to a better understanding of Pyrgi's urban structure (viability possible defensive systems (evoked by the same Greek name "Pyrgoi" - the towers) and the relationship with the "Maritime Colony" founded by Romans in 273 BC The archaeological site has been used to train generations of Italian and foreign archaeologists the site will be open from September 3 to 29 The webcam can be accessed from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm every day © Sapienza Università di Roma - Piazzale Aldo Moro 5 00185 Roma - (+39) 06 49911 - CF 80209930587 PI 02133771002 The Banditaccia necropolis is an Etruscan necropolis, pertaining to the ancient city of Caere, located on a tuffaceous hill north-west of Cerveteri, in the province of Rome The necropolis extends for about 400 hectares and there are many thousands of burials (the fenced and open part is only 10 hectares and has about 400 tumuli) from the oldest of the Villanovan period (9th century BC) to the most recent of the Hellenistic period (3rd century BC) the excavations were carried out by antiques lovers with the aim of finding precious objects to sell them on the market thanks to the archaeologist Raniero Mengarelli director of the Excavations Office of the Civitavecchia and Tolfa Districts who carried out the work from 1909 until 1936 The intent of these excavations was to recover precious objects so much so that it was limited to excavating those more evident structures In 1927 he unearthed what he called Via degli Inferi The Archaeological Park is open Friday and Saturday from 9.00 to 19.30 and Sunday from 9.00 to 14.00 The Museum is open from Friday to Sunday from 9.00 to 19.30 It is advisable to check by telephone for any changes to the timetable due to Covid-19 regulations Photo by Simone Antonazzo from openlib.enit.it. 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