Archaeological Sites Tuscany

The remains of the 2nd century Roman villa are located near Cala Maestra. Built by the Domizi Enobarbi, an ancient senatorial family of important traders, it enjoyed a breathtaking view of the coast.

Populonia is famous not only for the Fortress but also because it is the Etruscan Pupluna, one of the oldest human settlements in the whole of Tuscany. The finds found testify that the area was inhabited at least since the Neolithic period. The ancient town of Populonia and located on one of the headlands that form the Gulf of Baratti is guards the most important fortification of Tuscany, erected in the fifteenth century.

The Archaeological Park of Baratti and Populonia is located in the township of Piombino and covers about 80 hectares. It is part of The Parks of Val di Cornia and was opened in 1998 for visitors to allow them to view some of the archaeological sites. The park includes several areas from the ancient Etruscan city of Populonia, the necropolis of San Cerbone, Casone and the grotto, and the cave of calcarenite. Inside the park is an experimental archeological laboratory.

The Necropolis of Sovana extends for about one and a half kilometers in the hills north of the Calesine stream. It is represented by a considerable number of tombs facing the colonnade where that of Pula and Ildebranda stand out. The Necropolis is divided into several sectors that include the Via Cava or del Cavone, Poggio Felceto, Poggio Stanziale and others along the Folonia stream.

In the municipality of Vetulonia there is one of the most important Etruscan cities. The archaeological site was discovered in the late nineteenth century by Isidoro Falchi. The territory consists of some environments such as: the necropolis, the tomb of the Belvedere, the mound of Pietrera etc. in the area there are also some remains of the Etruscan-Roman houses. All rooms can be visited.

The Ansedonia is located on the hill of the Orbetello lagoon. In 1981, the National Museum of Cosa was established within the archaeological area. Its foundation was realized by the collaboration between the Italian State and the American Academy in Rome. At first, the museum kept few works, but over time this was enriched. Of great interest are the decorations that embellish the temple on the Arce.

The Archaeological Park of the Etruscan-Roman City contains buildings and finds dating from the 2nd and 3rd century AD. The excavations began in 1809 at the behest of Baron Friedman Schellersheim. The remains of the ancient Roman Theatre with a diameter of 34 meters, the Terme di Fiesole, and an Etruscan tomb with decorated pillars have been brought to light.

The Etruscan Necropolis of Sodo was discovered in 1909 and consists of a single tomb, consisting of an access corridor, two central rooms and a vestibule. This tomb, dating back to the 4th century BC, is thought to belong to Arnt Mefanates, since it is mentioned in the inscription placed on the lintel of the door. The materials found are kept in the Museum of the Etruscan Academy of the city of Cortona.

Built between first and second century A.D., it has the classic elliptical shape. At present you can see, even if only partially, the audience and the remains of the ambulacra.

The ruins can be seen from the south limit of San Gimignano municipal area. It was a very crucial civilian and military settlement in the past. It was formerly known as Castrum Vetus. In 1995, Castlelvecchio was officially recognized as a cultural heritage. Foreign visitors need to tour this place and appreciate how San Gimingnano and Italy at large was operating before modernization.

The tomb of the "quadriga infernale" lies in Sarteano in the necropolis of the Pianacce and is one of the most significant testimonies of the Etruscan painting of the 4th century BC.

The tombs of the necropolis of Poggio Buco have different constructions. The oldest are dated to the 8th century BC and have only a pit dug into the tuff, while those that date back to the middle of the 7th century BC are chamber dug into the tufa rock, of the same period also date back to the larger chamber tombs. Today it is only possible to visit the room tombs. Most of the finds found are Etruscan-Corinthian ceramics.

The excavations started in the archaeological area in 1980, brought to light the remains of an Etruscan settlement organized in neighborhoods divided into different buildings and equipped with necropolis. Currently, only their foundations remain visible. Since 2001, the Archaeological Park was established, which includes the shores of Lake dell'Accesa and the dense surrounding forest.

The spa of S. Michele alle Formiche dates back to the 16th century, and took its name from the adjacent homonymous monastery. The structure was restored during the 20th century, but has long been disused.