Archaeological Sites Country of Viterbo

Castel d'Asso is the most beautiful Etruscan rock necropolis ever brought to light. In ancient times it was called Axia, a city that dates back to the fourth century BC. The necropolis was recently discovered, in 1817 by the archaeologist Francesco Orioli. The most impressive tombs are that of Orioli, of Tetnie and the Great Tomb that has remained almost intact even internally.

The Roman Amphitheater of Sutri is the oldest and most significant monument in the city. Its foundations are composed and dug into the tuff. The arena is formed from an elliptical plan of forty-nine by forty meters, on the top there were niches and columns, of which few remains remain.

The Etruscan Necropolis of Cerracchio dates back to the period between the 3rd and 6th century BC and represents the monumental tomb of the then rural center of Blera. Most of the site turns out to be from the archaic era, with single-chamber tombs, with two or three docks and semi-idado tombs. From the following Hellenistic era, there are underground chamber tombs and small compartment tombs.

The Mithraeus in the natural cave of Sutri was a place of worship dedicated to the god Mitra dating back to the 1st — 2nd century. During the fourth century the Mithraeum was Christianized and its central tombstone was removed. In the period between the 13th — 14th century it was transformed into the church of the Madonna del Parto.

The Etruscan Necropolis of Monterozzi is located in the homonymous hill and is characterized by six thousand tombs that extend along the entire perimeter of the hill, dug into the rock and surmounted by mounds. The tombs are painted in a maestral way and represent the most prestigious nucleus of necropolis in the Mediterranean. Among the most famous tombs we remember those called 'of the Lionesses', 'Leopards, 'and 'Hunting and Fishing'.

The Ara della Regina is an Etruscan temple from the 4th century BC found on Pian di Civita in Tarquinia. The most visible part is that represented by the limestone base of “macco”. During the restoration work of 1938, a laborious work from the beginning of the 5th century BC was found, called the 'Winged Horses' and now kept in the National Museum of Tarquinia.

The city of Centocelle was built in 854 to host citizens, escaped the wrath of the Saracen strikers. It was built by Pope Leo IV, and initially it took the name of Lviv, later the fugitives called it Cencelle. It was inhabited for only 35 years because, as soon as the attacks of the Saracens ended, the population returned to the coast. In 889 on the ashes of Centocelle, the city of Civitas Vetulas was founded, namely the current Civitta' Vecchia.

The Farnesiana, is located in a beautiful location consisting of houses partly restored and partly abandoned and the church in neo-Gothic style currently in ruins. The ancient village in the past was inhabited by miners and breeders, but was abandoned following the closure of mining activities. Currently, the village has been transformed into an agritourism.

The Etruscan Rock Necropolis originated from the ancient city of Orcla, which reached its peak between the 2nd and 4th century BC. At the top there was a fake door and the terrace from where they were scattered the drops of milk or wine in honor of the gods. Among the tombs stand out that of the Three Heads, the Ciarlanti Tomb and the Prostila Tomb.

The archaeological site of Musarna was found in 1849 west of Viterbo. The city dates back to the fourth century BC After the excavations, important finds such as sarcophagi carved with reliefs and other objects such as mirrors, jewelry, urns, vases and sculptures of great value and beauty came to light. The site has recently been poorly maintained and cannot be visited.