ATTENTION
Via Etrusca is a web app optimized for navigation on smartphones and tablets.
To view the page content, scan the QRCode with your device.
National Etruscan Museum – Palazzo Vitelleschi
Built between 1436 and 1439 on a commission from Cardinal G. Vitelleschi, partly on pre-existing structures, from designs by two different architects, this building, now owned by the state, has been home to the National Archaeological Museum since 1924.
The façade shows the co-existence of Gothic and Renaissance elements, testimony both to the work of two different architects and to the gradual transition to the new style, which was spreading at that time: the Renaissance style is evident in the left-hand sector, with the portal surmounted by a triangular tympanum containing the Vitelleschi family coat-of-arms, while the pairs of double-arched windows in the central sector and the three triple-arched windows on the right sector bring us back to Gothic style. In the recessed area of the front on the left side, it is possible to see the ring of an octagonal well, dated 1459 and formerly located in the Palazzo Comunale; the walls show bas-reliefs depicting the city's patron saints (St. Lituardo, St. Pantaleon, St. Secundian, St. Margaret, and St. Theophanes), the coats-of-arms of the Municipality, the Vitelleschi family, and Pope Pius II Piccolomini, and an epigraph bearing the names of the Consoli and Gonfaloniere with the dedication of the work. On the right is a bronze sculpture of a female figure, donated by E. Greco, a famous 20th-century sculptor, in memory of the Tarquinese poet V. Cardarelli. Also at the back of the palace, in Piazza Soderini, it is possible to see the rectangular first-floor windows, reflecting the new Renaissance style, while the double lancet windows on the second floor are in Gothic style. The hanging apse of the palace chapel, located on the first floor, is also visible.
Audio guide
Virtual Tour
Use your finger or rotate to move around the virtual space.
To access Virtual Reality, follow the steps in this sequence:
1. 
Press the Virtual Reality button below.
2. 
Access the VR function and use a virtual reality headset.
Map
Share your location
View full screen
Choose another point of interest
Enlarge
Zoom Out
Intro
Cradle of Etruscan civilization, the Tarquinia and Cerveteri area is home to two extraordinary UNESCO sites, renowned worldwide for their frescoed necropolises, monumental tombs, and a landscape that recounts 3,000 years of history.
Here, culture intertwines with nature, myth with tradition: amidst hills, waterfalls, medieval villages, and ancient flavors, each itinerary is an immersive journey into the heart of Etruria. Alongside the wonders of the past, new paths open up: those of flavor, craftsmanship, wine, and the outdoors, including sports, trekking, and discovery.
T a r q u i n i a
The Sacred Dawn
The "Sacred Dawn" itinerary offers a trek that begins at the Barriera San Giusto information point, along the Viterbo CAI (Italian Alpine Club) route 103, and leads to the Pian di Civita archaeological site, located approximately 3 km from the historic center of Tarquinia. In this evocative location, you can witness the sunrise illuminating the remains of the Etruscan temple known as the "Ara della Regina."
The route continues with a visit to the Etruscan quarter of Porta Romanelli and the community nature reserve of the Tarquinia acropolis, characterized by the presence of native plant species such as ferula, milk thistle, wild barley, wild olive tree, mastic tree, and common fig. The itinerary concludes on a panoramic esplanade overlooking the "Ara della Regina," where you can enjoy a picnic featuring typical local produce and local organic wines. During the excursion, visitors will also be able to observe, weather permitting, paragliders in flight from the nearby take-off area.
This itinerary offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Tarquinia's millennia-old history, combining archaeological experiences with exploration of the surrounding natural heritage.
-------------------------------
In the footsteps of the Etruscans
This itinerary offers a fascinating journey through the most significant remains of Etruscan civilization. The starting point is the Necropolis of Calvary, a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to 22 visitable hypogea, known for the extraordinary frescoes that decorate the tomb walls and recount myths, rituals, and scenes of daily life.
The route continues through the Scataglini Necropolis until reaching the Via dei Principi, home to some of the last and most impressive burial mounds of Tarquinia's nobility: the Tumulus of the King, the Tumulus of the Queen, and the Tumulus Luzi, majestic examples of sepulchral architecture.
The itinerary concludes with a visit to the so-called Tombs of the Kings, including the evocative Tomb of the Orcus and the Tomb of the Shields, which house important artistic and symbolic treasures. During certain times of the year, it's also possible to visit the Second Arches Necropolis, home to other important tombs, such as those of the Panthers, the Bulls, the Augurs, Giustiniani, and Giglioli. Along the way, there are breaks dedicated to discovering the local flavors, with tastings of olive oil, honey, and local products, in a dialogue between archaeology and food and wine culture rooted in Etruscan heritage.
-------------------------------
Etruscan Necropolis of Calvario
King's Tumulus and Queen's Tumulus
Tarkna, Corneto, Tarquinia
The itinerary guides visitors to discover Tarquinia's three historical identities: ancient Etruscan Tarkna, medieval Corneto, and the contemporary city. The tour begins at the National Etruscan Museum, housed in Palazzo Vitelleschi, where the archaeological collections recount the daily life of the Etruscans through vases, bronzes, oriental ceramics, and the characteristic black bucchero ware.
The tour continues into the heart of medieval Tarquinia, among the churches, towers, and palaces of the historic center. Inside the Town Hall, the Hall of Frescoes comes to life thanks to augmented reality: by framing the works with their smartphone, visitors can access interactive content that recounts the origins and protagonists of medieval Corneto.
The journey continues at the Ceramics Museum, which traces the city's transformations through ceramic production, from the Etruscan era to contemporary artists. The museum also offers workshops to experiment with coiling techniques and decoration with natural clays.
The final stage leads to the Church of Santa Maria in Castello and the Torrione della Contessa Matilde, which offers one of the most evocative panoramic views of the city.
-------------------------------
National Etruscan Museum - Palazzo Vitelleschi
C e r v e t e r i
The line between the city of the dead and the city of the living
This itinerary offers a fully immersive trek into the world of the Etruscans, crossing the natural beauty of the Ceriti Mountains overlooking the city of Cerveteri. The shaded and picturesque route winds past waterfalls, fords, and ancient ironworks.
We begin at the Banditaccia Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to discover the archaeological area with the famous Via degli Inferi, rich in Etruscan tombs and burial mounds. Continuing, we cross the Manganello Valley, a wild area that marked the boundary between the city of the dead and that of the living.
Along the way, you can admire spectacular waterfalls, including the Cascata dell'Arenile, the Braccio di Mare waterfall, characterized by a large basin, and the Cascata della Mola or Castel Giuliano waterfall, the highest in the area.
In the afternoon, the itinerary includes a visit to the historic center of Cerveteri, with stops at artisan workshops and the ancient wood-fired oven, where you can participate in a guided tasting of local wines and typical baked goods, concluding an authentic and engaging experience.
-------------------------------
The Villages of Ceri and Cerveteri
The itinerary begins with a guided tour of the picturesque village of Ceri, a place steeped in history and tradition. Among the main sites to visit are the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Ceri, a place of devotion and a reference point for the local community, and Palazzo Torlonia, a historic building of great architectural significance.
During the visit, you can taste olive oil and appreciate the authentic flavors of the area.
Next, the tour moves to the medieval town of Cerveteri, where you can visit the charming Piazza Santa Maria. Here, you'll find important places of interest such as the National Archaeological Museum, home to artifacts that testify to the area's cultural richness; the Church of Santa Maria, an example of religious architecture; and Palazzo Ruspoli, a symbol of local aristocratic history.
The day concludes with a visit to the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate, located in the immediate vicinity of Cerveteri's city walls, offering the perfect conclusion to this itinerary of art, history, and spirituality.
-------------------------------
Sanctuary of the Madonna di Ceri
Heritage returned: i tombaroli
Questo percorso propone un approfondimento storico-archeologico sul tema dei “tombaroli”, predatori che fin dall’antichità hanno saccheggiato il territorio alla ricerca di tesori etruschi. Si visitano importanti siti funerari come le Tombe del Comune, la Necropoli delle Greppe di Sant’Angelo, la Tomba delle Cinque Sedie, i Grandi Tumuli, la Necropoli del Laghetto, la Bufolareccia e la Via degli Inferi.
Durante il percorso si approfondisce il recupero di capolavori etruschi restituiti al Museo Nazionale di Cerveteri e si visita uno spazio espositivo con reperti recuperati grazie all’attività del Nucleo Carabinieri.
La giornata si conclude con un trasferimento alla spiaggia “Sabbie Nere”, dove si può osservare l’area archeologica di Pyrgi, antico porto di Cerveteri. Da qui, una breve escursione in Stand Up Paddle permette di ammirare il fondale tra il Castello di Santa Severa e il santuario di Pyrgi, godendo di un suggestivo tramonto accompagnato da un calice di vino.
-------------------------------
Podcast
Where to eat
Where to sleep
What to do in Tarquinia and Cerveteri
Useful numbers
Tarquinia Info Point
I.A.T. Tourist Information and Welcome Office
Barriera San Giusto – 01016 Tarquinia (VT)
Tel: 0766849282
Email: info.turismo@tarquinia.net
National Archaeological Museum of Tarquinia
Piazza Cavour 1 – 01016 Tarquinia (VT)
Tel: 0766856036
Monterozzi Necropolis
Strada provinciale Monterozzi Marina
01016 Tarquinia (VT)
Tel: 0766856308
Cerveteri Tourist Information Point
Tourist information center
Piazza Aldo Moro, 00052 Cerveteri (RM)
Tel: 0630321659
National Archaeological Museum of Cerveteri
Piazza Santa Maria, 00052 Cerveteri (RM)
Tel: 069941354
Banditaccia Necropolis
Via della Necropoli, 43/45, 00052 Cerveteri (RM)
Tel: 069940001
