Tour detail

The Etruscan tour - Local Tour

Our 7-hour car and walking tour will take you through the main villages of the Etruscan civilization. You will admire their mastery of funerary architecture. You will marvel at the traces
of wall paintings left behind by these Roman ancestors, three thousands years ago.

The car will pick you up at your hotel
for our first destination, Cerveteri. The local guide will escort you to the area that is
considered to be one of the focal points where the Etruscan civilization flourished. It is a
supremely beautiful region of Italy, bounded by the Arno and Tiber Rivers, and the azure
Mediterranean Sea to the west. The Etruscan civilization was profoundly affected by Greek culture.
The Etruscans in turn, then influenced the neighboring early Republic of Rome. Many of the Latin authors mentioned this fact in their writings. But the sole knowledge we have today is contained
within the tombs of Tarquinia and Cerveteri. On the way to Cerveteri, you will notice that along the
access road, there are small mounds covered with tombs.
The extent and splendor of the remains of this necropolis testifies to the importance of the
city as well as to the Etruscan mastery of funerary architecture. Within a pleasant background of
cypress, brooms and pines, the necropolis is actually presented in the form of a city, with a street
of tombs indicated. Among these, some consist of underground funerary chambers accessible by a door
that is plainly decorated. You will see that they have moldings with a simple and sober layout. Other
tombs are known as tumuli. They date from the 7th century BC, and follow the form of a conical mound
resting on a circular base.
We'll then continue to drive towards Tarquinia, a necropolis that extends 5 km in length and 1
km in width. It contains thousands of tombs dating from the 6th century BC through the 1st century BC.
Although there aren't any architectural features here, there is an extraordinary assemblage of
paintings that decorate the walls in the underground funerary rooms. You will see scenes of everyday
life such as dining, dancing, hunting and fishing.
There are pictures of horse races, games and spectacles. Additionally, you will see images of
the afterlife including divinities, funerary rites and religious symbols. The main attraction of the
town is one of the most interesting museums of central Italy, the Museo Nazionale Tarquinese.
There, you will see mainly Etruscan exhibits and sarcophagi that have been excavated from the
necropolis a few miles away.
Lunch will be available upon request at a typical, local restaurant.
Sightseeing will continue on the way back to your hotel.