Tarquinia
Tarquinia is situated approximately ten kilometers from Civitavecchia, taking the Aurelia in the direction of Grosseto.
On the basis of its characteristics, this town may be observed from two aspects,: on the one side it presents itself like an ideal locality for the Summer (Lido of Tarquinia);.
The second aspect which is important to emphasize is the enormous cultural and archeological validity which this location possesses: Tarquinia is known to all for its importance as an Etruscan city and for the numerous necropolis inside which are preserves some splendid examples of paintings.
The painted tombs are mostly found inside the necropolis of Montarozzi and are very important since, because of the numerous images which the ancient Etruscans painted on their walls, these have provided enthusiasts with the opportunity to obtain more in depth knowledge of the daily life, art and religious beliefs if these people.
But Tarquinia, with its towers, austere roman Churches, small homes that face alleys and its medieval monuments of notable importance, is also a city where art and medieval culture are deeply rooted.
Visit itinerary
Upon entering the town, one is in where the visitor is immediately impressed by the size of Palazzo Vitelleschi, the seat of the national museum. To the south of the square one takes via Umberto I, and enters the Castro Nuovo area where it is possible to admire, in Piazza Belvedere, the church of S. Antonio, in Roman-gothic style and the church of Santa Lucia.
Still near Via Umberto I, it is possible to admire the church of San Giovanni Battista (XIII century): the coat of arms of the Knights of Malta, located on the central door, is surmounted by a beautiful rose window with a halo of small columns. Taking via della Salute, after turning left in Via Garibaldi, one reaches Piazza Matteotti on the left side of which there is the church of the Suffrage, a splendid example of Roman baroque.
Nearby surges the large Roman style municipal building (XI century) with ample pieces of baroque.
From Piazza Matteotti, following the tree-lined Dante Alighieri, one reaches a lookout situated above the city walls, from where one can enjoy a splendid view of the valley, the hills of Civita and the Necropolis.
Going back one turns to the left down Via di Porta Tarquinia and finds Palazzo Scotti which dates back to the 1700's. The immediate vicinity still maintains a building style of medieval origin, the most characterizing element of which is surely the large complex of S. Francesco (church and convent of the XIII century). Going down Via San Leonardo, in front of the church, another interesting building is the Palazzo called of the Marchese, with a courtyard that dates back to the 1400's. Going down Via Garibaldi, one reaches a very small and suggestive square next to the ex-church of San Pancrazio (XIII century); nearby is the Palazzo dei Priori, obtained by joining various pre-existing buildings. Behind the Municipal Building and the Palazzo dei Prior there is a district that is suggestively rich and important for understanding this medieval city. Here one can admire the church of the Santissima Annunziata (XII-XIII century) with a Roman façade and a portal with Sicilian-Norman motifs.
On Via San Giacomo one should note the small Roman church of the Santissimo Salvatore and that of San Giacomo Apostolo (XII century).
At this point, going back to the Annunziata, one comes to a square dominated by the church of San Martino (one of the most ancient in Tarquinia) and a tall tower.
Returning to Palazzo dei Priori, one follows Via delle Torri where it is possible to view the ruins of two towers and the church of the Holy Spirit that dates back to the 1600's, From here one reaches Piazza Santo Stefano from which it is possible to view, on one stretch of Via delle Torri, the battlement of the Barocci tower, and on the other the tower of the Dragons.
From the square it is possible to view the apsidal area of the Dome, the ancient church of Santa Margherita, of medieval origin, which in 1435 became the Cathedral of Corneto, rebuilt in 1656 and restored in the 1800's.
Following the nearby Via Mazzini, one reaches the Palazzo Vitelleschi; continuing down Via di Porta Castello one reached the most ancient center of Medieval Tarquinia: here rises the tower of the seminary (to the right) and the great double door that opens for the height of one bastion of the medieval city wall.
Past the towers under the doors one reached the church of Santa Maria di Catello, next to which rises a tall tower.
Going back down Via Valverde, towards the San Giusto barrier, one finds the church of Santa Maria di Valverde, remodeled inside in the 1400's.
The Necropolis of Monterozzi
This is the most important Etruscan discovery of all the area; it extends to the south-east of modern day Tarquinia and to the south of the hill where Civita Etrusca used to rise. It houses a vast repertoire of tombs, some of which are worth illustrating for their beauty, fame and importance.
The Tomb of the Lionesses (530 BC, discovered in 1873): this tomb owes its name to the pair of felines painted, one in front of the other, on the sides of the ledge on the far wall, which shows a large crater around which there are two musicians and two groups of dancers.
The Tomb of the Leopards(approximately one century more recent than the previous and discovered in 1833): it too is characterized by the admirable portrayal of two animals facing a twig, in the gable of the far wall, completely decorated with a banqueting scene, and three couples lying on beds.
The Tomb of Polyphemus or the Ochre (composed of various room with two adjacent tombs, then joined, which can be dated back to the second half of the IV century; discovered in 1868): the most ancient, of the Spuria family, it is made up of a large quadrangular room with niches, that could be accessed through a corridor. On the far wall there is the scene of a feast taking place on a scenic background; a short stretch of this wall, to the right of the niche, there is the picture of Caronte; on the side wall, to the right, there is another festive scene where there still only remains the beautiful head of a woman (the famous Fanciulla Velcha) and her husband. Passing through a boxed and carved landscape one enters the second and most recent tomb, where it is possible to admire a famous mythological scene: the blinding of Polyphemus; then, through a mixture of Greek and Etruscan iconography, one recognizes the infernal divinities and various scenes that take place in the underworld.
The Tomb of the Greetings (530 BC, discovered in 1878): on the back wall there is a fake door with two men on the side, maybe priests, in the act of praying. The right wall is painted with a scene of servants fighting in the presence of a spectator with a red cloak or maybe a referee; after which there is a portrayal of a cruel game called Phersu ("Mask"), where a masked person unleashes a dog and a wolf against a person who is condemned and must defend himself with his head is in a hood.
The Tomb of the Bulls (540 BC, discovered in 1892): has a structure that is formed like a lobby, at the end of which there is the access to two cells with benches. The space between the two doors shows a picture of Achilles preparing a trap for Toilo. The ornament on top shows erotic scenes and bulls. The Tomb of the Baron or the Horses (500 BC): on the fare wall, the husband is saying goodbye to the wife in front of two young horsemen; on the left wall the mother separates herself from her children and on the right one of the children is saying goodbye to his brother.
The Queens Altar: to complete the visit, direct yourself to the ancient Etruscan settlement. By taking state road 1 bis from the necropolis towards Monte Romano and to the left for 7.3 kilometers, one reaches a country road, take this road for one kilometer and a half then, left again, take the road that leads to an old digging site. At this point go to the North-West until you run into the ancient city walls (V-IV century BC). Here there you will find the ruins of the Queen's Altar, the remains of a temple structure of exceptional size (39,25 meters x 25,35) built in the IV century over much older buildings. A large clay sculpture, showing two winged horses, decorated the temple and are now on display in the museum of Palazzo Vitelleschi in Tarquinia.
The History
Anciently known as Tarxuna or Tarxna (probably from the name of the hero Tarconte, it mythical founder). Tarquinia is one of the most ancient cities of the Tuscia. Its existence has been confirmed as far back as the IV century BC, but it surely reached it maximum splendor with the Tarquini dynasty, who reigned over Rome (VIII-VII century BC).
The city, which during the IV century was the dominating center of the entire Etruscan area, falls together with the fall of the Roman Empire, due to malaria and barbaric incursions. The inhabitants therefore move to the nearby hill of the necropolis of Monterozzi, forming a new settlement called Corgnitum (then Corneto), where the medieval city will then rise and where the center of the city of Tarquinia is now located.
The ancient Cognitum rose on a plain called La Civita, divided into two sectors: the first holds the remains of the ancient urban conglomeration, the second, called Ara Della Regina (Queen's Altar), is characterized by the basement of a Temple that dates back to the end of the IV century BC. Here it is possible to admire the Tuscany style medieval urbanization.
During the XIII century Castro Nuovo is added to Civitas di Corneto, made necessary due to the demographic increase.
Between the end of the XII and beginning of the XIII centuries, Corneto reached its maximum economic wellbeing, a higher level of political independence and the highest level of demographic consistency.
In the 1400's the city is introduced to the splendid regality of the Vitelleschi.
In 1436, Cardinal Vitelleschi has the Palazzo Vitelleschi built, situated at a hinging point between Corneto Vecchia and Castro Nuovo. Throughout the 1400's a series of building interventions follow one another, evidence that the Bishops are particularly interested in the town. In 1592 an earthquake causes numerous damages to the structure of the city; and in the 1700's city work is on the rise again.
Lastly, in 1923, with the discovery of the first Etruscan tombs, a mechanism is set off that will shape a new cultural identity for the city.
On the basis of its characteristics, this town may be observed from two aspects,: on the one side it presents itself like an ideal locality for the Summer (Lido of Tarquinia);.
The second aspect which is important to emphasize is the enormous cultural and archeological validity which this location possesses: Tarquinia is known to all for its importance as an Etruscan city and for the numerous necropolis inside which are preserves some splendid examples of paintings.
The painted tombs are mostly found inside the necropolis of Montarozzi and are very important since, because of the numerous images which the ancient Etruscans painted on their walls, these have provided enthusiasts with the opportunity to obtain more in depth knowledge of the daily life, art and religious beliefs if these people.
But Tarquinia, with its towers, austere roman Churches, small homes that face alleys and its medieval monuments of notable importance, is also a city where art and medieval culture are deeply rooted.
Visit itinerary
Upon entering the town, one is in where the visitor is immediately impressed by the size of Palazzo Vitelleschi, the seat of the national museum. To the south of the square one takes via Umberto I, and enters the Castro Nuovo area where it is possible to admire, in Piazza Belvedere, the church of S. Antonio, in Roman-gothic style and the church of Santa Lucia.
Still near Via Umberto I, it is possible to admire the church of San Giovanni Battista (XIII century): the coat of arms of the Knights of Malta, located on the central door, is surmounted by a beautiful rose window with a halo of small columns. Taking via della Salute, after turning left in Via Garibaldi, one reaches Piazza Matteotti on the left side of which there is the church of the Suffrage, a splendid example of Roman baroque.
Nearby surges the large Roman style municipal building (XI century) with ample pieces of baroque.
From Piazza Matteotti, following the tree-lined Dante Alighieri, one reaches a lookout situated above the city walls, from where one can enjoy a splendid view of the valley, the hills of Civita and the Necropolis.
Going back one turns to the left down Via di Porta Tarquinia and finds Palazzo Scotti which dates back to the 1700's. The immediate vicinity still maintains a building style of medieval origin, the most characterizing element of which is surely the large complex of S. Francesco (church and convent of the XIII century). Going down Via San Leonardo, in front of the church, another interesting building is the Palazzo called of the Marchese, with a courtyard that dates back to the 1400's. Going down Via Garibaldi, one reaches a very small and suggestive square next to the ex-church of San Pancrazio (XIII century); nearby is the Palazzo dei Priori, obtained by joining various pre-existing buildings. Behind the Municipal Building and the Palazzo dei Prior there is a district that is suggestively rich and important for understanding this medieval city. Here one can admire the church of the Santissima Annunziata (XII-XIII century) with a Roman façade and a portal with Sicilian-Norman motifs.
On Via San Giacomo one should note the small Roman church of the Santissimo Salvatore and that of San Giacomo Apostolo (XII century).
At this point, going back to the Annunziata, one comes to a square dominated by the church of San Martino (one of the most ancient in Tarquinia) and a tall tower.
Returning to Palazzo dei Priori, one follows Via delle Torri where it is possible to view the ruins of two towers and the church of the Holy Spirit that dates back to the 1600's, From here one reaches Piazza Santo Stefano from which it is possible to view, on one stretch of Via delle Torri, the battlement of the Barocci tower, and on the other the tower of the Dragons.
From the square it is possible to view the apsidal area of the Dome, the ancient church of Santa Margherita, of medieval origin, which in 1435 became the Cathedral of Corneto, rebuilt in 1656 and restored in the 1800's.
Following the nearby Via Mazzini, one reaches the Palazzo Vitelleschi; continuing down Via di Porta Castello one reached the most ancient center of Medieval Tarquinia: here rises the tower of the seminary (to the right) and the great double door that opens for the height of one bastion of the medieval city wall.
Past the towers under the doors one reached the church of Santa Maria di Catello, next to which rises a tall tower.
Going back down Via Valverde, towards the San Giusto barrier, one finds the church of Santa Maria di Valverde, remodeled inside in the 1400's.
The Necropolis of Monterozzi
This is the most important Etruscan discovery of all the area; it extends to the south-east of modern day Tarquinia and to the south of the hill where Civita Etrusca used to rise. It houses a vast repertoire of tombs, some of which are worth illustrating for their beauty, fame and importance.
The Tomb of the Leopards(approximately one century more recent than the previous and discovered in 1833): it too is characterized by the admirable portrayal of two animals facing a twig, in the gable of the far wall, completely decorated with a banqueting scene, and three couples lying on beds.
The Tomb of Polyphemus or the Ochre (composed of various room with two adjacent tombs, then joined, which can be dated back to the second half of the IV century; discovered in 1868): the most ancient, of the Spuria family, it is made up of a large quadrangular room with niches, that could be accessed through a corridor. On the far wall there is the scene of a feast taking place on a scenic background; a short stretch of this wall, to the right of the niche, there is the picture of Caronte; on the side wall, to the right, there is another festive scene where there still only remains the beautiful head of a woman (the famous Fanciulla Velcha) and her husband. Passing through a boxed and carved landscape one enters the second and most recent tomb, where it is possible to admire a famous mythological scene: the blinding of Polyphemus; then, through a mixture of Greek and Etruscan iconography, one recognizes the infernal divinities and various scenes that take place in the underworld.
The Tomb of the Greetings (530 BC, discovered in 1878): on the back wall there is a fake door with two men on the side, maybe priests, in the act of praying. The right wall is painted with a scene of servants fighting in the presence of a spectator with a red cloak or maybe a referee; after which there is a portrayal of a cruel game called Phersu ("Mask"), where a masked person unleashes a dog and a wolf against a person who is condemned and must defend himself with his head is in a hood.
The Tomb of the Bulls (540 BC, discovered in 1892): has a structure that is formed like a lobby, at the end of which there is the access to two cells with benches. The space between the two doors shows a picture of Achilles preparing a trap for Toilo. The ornament on top shows erotic scenes and bulls. The Tomb of the Baron or the Horses (500 BC): on the fare wall, the husband is saying goodbye to the wife in front of two young horsemen; on the left wall the mother separates herself from her children and on the right one of the children is saying goodbye to his brother.
The Queens Altar: to complete the visit, direct yourself to the ancient Etruscan settlement. By taking state road 1 bis from the necropolis towards Monte Romano and to the left for 7.3 kilometers, one reaches a country road, take this road for one kilometer and a half then, left again, take the road that leads to an old digging site. At this point go to the North-West until you run into the ancient city walls (V-IV century BC). Here there you will find the ruins of the Queen's Altar, the remains of a temple structure of exceptional size (39,25 meters x 25,35) built in the IV century over much older buildings. A large clay sculpture, showing two winged horses, decorated the temple and are now on display in the museum of Palazzo Vitelleschi in Tarquinia.
The History
Anciently known as Tarxuna or Tarxna (probably from the name of the hero Tarconte, it mythical founder). Tarquinia is one of the most ancient cities of the Tuscia. Its existence has been confirmed as far back as the IV century BC, but it surely reached it maximum splendor with the Tarquini dynasty, who reigned over Rome (VIII-VII century BC).
The city, which during the IV century was the dominating center of the entire Etruscan area, falls together with the fall of the Roman Empire, due to malaria and barbaric incursions. The inhabitants therefore move to the nearby hill of the necropolis of Monterozzi, forming a new settlement called Corgnitum (then Corneto), where the medieval city will then rise and where the center of the city of Tarquinia is now located.
The ancient Cognitum rose on a plain called La Civita, divided into two sectors: the first holds the remains of the ancient urban conglomeration, the second, called Ara Della Regina (Queen's Altar), is characterized by the basement of a Temple that dates back to the end of the IV century BC. Here it is possible to admire the Tuscany style medieval urbanization.
During the XIII century Castro Nuovo is added to Civitas di Corneto, made necessary due to the demographic increase.
Between the end of the XII and beginning of the XIII centuries, Corneto reached its maximum economic wellbeing, a higher level of political independence and the highest level of demographic consistency.
In the 1400's the city is introduced to the splendid regality of the Vitelleschi.
In 1436, Cardinal Vitelleschi has the Palazzo Vitelleschi built, situated at a hinging point between Corneto Vecchia and Castro Nuovo. Throughout the 1400's a series of building interventions follow one another, evidence that the Bishops are particularly interested in the town. In 1592 an earthquake causes numerous damages to the structure of the city; and in the 1700's city work is on the rise again.
Lastly, in 1923, with the discovery of the first Etruscan tombs, a mechanism is set off that will shape a new cultural identity for the city.
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