Cerveteri

Cerveteri is a town of Etruscan origin, south of Civitavecchia on the Tyrrhenian coast. Like nearby Tarquinia, it is famous for the Banditaccia necropolis, one of Italy’s major archaeological sites. Thanks to the research carried out here, it has been possible to reconstruct the history of Etruscan civilization, from the earliest Villanovan period (9th century BC) to the 2nd century BC.

The burial finds (the architecture of Cerveteri’s great tombs and the many artifacts unearthed during the excavation campaigns, now kept in the town museum) have allowed archaeologists to draw valuable information about many aspects of this people, whose history is intertwined with that of the ancient Romans.

Spending a day visiting this site means stepping into the very heart of Etruria, the area between northern Lazio and Tuscany that was the cradle of Etruscan civilization. The landscape you cross is one of soft green hills planted with grain and olive trees, dotted with small, almost isolated villages. Echoes of history linger as you wander the countryside, scattered with smaller archaeological sites.

After a good visit to the archaeological area, don’t miss a stop at one of the many agriturismi along the country roads to savor the excellent local cuisine: dishes from Lazio, perfectly cooked game (above all wild boar, hare and pheasant) served with rustic polenta, and the ever-present Roman-style artichokes.