Tarquinia

Tarquinia

Central Italy

Lazio

Viterbo (province)

Tarquinia Tarquinia is a town in Lazio , . At first site it looks like a miniature version of San Gimignano with its medieval towers but the main reason for visiting is that it has fascinating Etruscan tombs with wall paintings ( UNESCO World Heritage Site ), as well as a good museum on the Etruscans.

Trains run from Rome (mostly Roma Termini) and take about 1½-2 hr, cost about €7 each way. Buses also run to and from nearby cities. By car from Rome, take the Autostrada that runs northwest along the coast in the direction of Civitavecchia. Tarquinia is not too far after the end of the Autostrada at Civitavecchia but take care as the road is a popular stretch for the police to operate speed traps and catch you for overtaking illegally.

There's a local bus to the necropolis.

The Etruscan Museum ( in the Palazzo Vitelleschi in the main city square, close to parking areas ). It is said to be the best Etruscan museum in Italy outside Rome.

The Etruscan necropolis . At first sight, you may well be disappointed. You only see a barren piece of land with what look like workers' huts on a building site. However, each covers a set of steps going down to a tomb and you can turn on a light to see through the glass. Each tomb has a painting. Some are well preserved: others less so but when you consider that the paintings are more than 2,500 years old it is quite an amazing experience. Some of the better wall paintings have been removed to museums; if you cannot get to Tarquinia do not miss Rome's Etruscan Museum at Villa Giulia ( Rome/North_Center ).

Explore the Monterozzi necropolis with its painted Etruscan tombs. Visit the National Museum in Palazzo Vitelleschi. Walk through the medieval streets and admire the towers that dot the town.

Trattorias in the historic centre serve local cuisine including seafood and pasta. Several restaurants line the main square and streets near the Palazzo Vitelleschi.

Tarquinia DOC produces red wines from Sangiovese and Montepulciano and white wines from Trebbiano. Local wine bars and cafés offer tastings and refreshments.

Hotels and B&Bs are available in the historic centre and along the coast at Tarquinia Lido. Agriturismo options exist in the surrounding countryside.

Local shops sell Tarquinia DOC wine, olive oil, and Etruscan-themed souvenirs. The weekly market has fresh local produce and regional specialities.

Vulci , a former Etruscan city Routes through Tarquinia Livorno ← Maremma ← W E → Civitavecchia → Rome This article is issued from Wikivoyage . The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.