The Etruscan Necropolis

7th century BC

The Etruscan Necropolis is undoubtedly the most important in the Mediterranean and contains about 6,000 burials, the oldest of which date back to the 7th century BC.
Among these, there are about 200 that contain a series of frescoes.
In Tarquinia, the practice of decorating the tombs of aristocratic families with paintings continued for a long period of time.

The burial chambers feature frescoed walls with scenes of a magical and religious nature, all decorated with intense and lively colours to bring the deceased back to life and help loved ones forget the pain of their loss.
Some of the paintings, removed from certain tombs to preserve them, are kept in the National Archaeological Museum of Tarquinia, along with other Etruscan artefacts.
In 2004, the site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List because of its invaluable artistic and historical importance.

The Archaeological Museum

Since 1924

The Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Tarquinia (National Archaeological Museum of Tarquinia) considered one of the most important in Italy for its rich Etruscan collection, is housed in the ancient Palazzo Vitelleschi, one of the most significant buildings in the area of Tarquinia.
Thanks to the donations of noble families from Tarquinia, such as the Conti Bruschi-Falgari family, a permanent exhibition featuring all the treasures of the Etruscans has been made possible.
Since 1924, the collection has been enriched with artefacts from the Monterozzi Necropolis, the most important in ancient Etruria.

The Archaeological Museum, divided into three floors, houses a collection of sarcophagi, artefacts ranging from the Villanovan to the Roman period, and in a specially air-conditioned area, visitors can admire some tombs with their frescoes.
The museum also hosts a unique work of art in the world, the famous Cavalli Alati (Winged Horses), a terracotta high-relief slab from the “Ara della Regina” sanctuary.

OPENING HOURS
From Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 a.m. -7:30 p.m.

Archaeological areas

4th century BC

There are three main archaeological areas in the area of Tarquinia: The Civita, Porto Clementino and Gravisca. The Civita, with its 140-hectare territory, is located on a hill overlooking the valley of the River Marta. It is separated from the sea by the Monterozzi Hill, where the town’s most famous and important necropolis is located. The temple known as the Ara della Regina, the “Altar of the Queen” in English, dating back to the 4th century BC, can still be admired today.

Gravisca is located on the coast near Porto Clementino. Here visitors can admire the remains of an important Etruscan sanctuary as well as the remains of various buildings dedicated to Greek and Etruscan deities. Porto Clementino, which was used again during the Middle Ages as a landing place for illustrious men and precious goods, has undergone several restorations over time. Near the port are the towers of Corneto and that of plague victims (Torre degli Appestati).

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