Ancient Civilizations

TUSCANIA (34 km – 40 minutes)

Of Etruscan origin, Tuscania has a long and complicated history. One legend claims the town was founded by Ascanius, the son of Eneas when he found 12 puppy dogs (from the Latin Tus-cana). Eneas was the mythical Trojan prince, founder of Rome, who fled to Italy after the end of the Trojan War (Virgil’s Aeneid tells of Enea’s journeys just as the Odyssey tells of those of Odysseus). The town’s main attraction is the imposing Romanesque Church of San Pietro, which was begun in the year 739 and was renovated in the 11th and 12th centuries. There is a small Etruscan museum that houses tombs unearthed in the area, and the area is known for its cultivation of aromatic plants, especially lavender which is spectacular when it is in bloom.

TARQUINIA (1 hour)

The former Etruscan capital, Tarquinia boasts 3000 years of history. The city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its impressive Necropolis with its stunning painted underground tombs which reveal aspects of the lives and religious beliefs of the ancient Etruscans. Many artifacts from this area have found their way into the collection of the British Museum, but there is still plenty to see at the local archeological museum. Tarquinia sits on a hill just in from the Tyrrhenian coast, for those who fancy a stop at the beach.