Tarquinia, the heart of Etruscan art, is a medieval town with many Etruscan sites and great nearby beaches.
The symbol of Etruscan art par excellence, it lies in a strategic position in the Lazio region, just 15 minutes from the Port of Civitavecchia, 50 minutes from Fiumicino’s international airport, and little more than an hour from Rome.
A journey through Etruscan days
With its many monuments and museums, charming and historic town center and important UNESCO World Heritage archaeological sites, this town of Etruscan origins is a journey in time through ancient history and art. And it is close to the sea, making it a very popular summer holiday destination. The best way to get an idea of the magnitude and the artistic refinement of the Etruscan people, is to visit the Necropolis of Tarquinia. With over 200 pained tombs, the frescoes of the Necropolis of Monterozzi are the most important document of ancient painting before the Roman imperial period.
The world’s largest collection of Etruscan art
Another must is the National Etruscan Museum of Tarquinia with the world’s largest collection of Etruscan art: sarcophagi, vases, dishes, pottery, statues and ancient coins and thousands of other fascinating artefacts. Strolling through the narrow streets of Tarquinia starting at the Barriera di San Giusto, the ancient entrance to the town, and you will find yourself in Piazza Cavour with the Renaissance Palazzo Vitelleschi, seat of the Etruscan Museum. On the Piazza del Duomo you can admire the striking Cathedral of Santa Margherita, and nearby there is the Tower of Dante and the Tower of Matilda of Canossa.
Natural salt pans, surfing and sailing
Nearby on the coast the Natural Salt Pans Reserve of Tarquinia are one of the few remaining salt pans along the entire Italian coast. The site welcomes a huge number of species of migratory birds including pink flamingoes, egrets and herons and is popular with birdwatchers and photographers. Tarquinia is a paradise for lovers of the sea with beaches like the Lido di Tarquinia which is just ten minutes away from the city center and is popular with families, surfers, windsurfers and sailors. Some seven kilometres south of the Lido, near the Natural Reserve of Salt Pans, there is the free beach of San Giorgio, probably the wildest on this stretch coast, and reached along an unpaved country road.
Remains of the pre-Roman Etruscan era make Tarquinia an important UNESCO world heritage site. The original burial mounds found within the necropolis contain frescoes depicting the day-to-day life of this vanished urban civilization. Some of the most famous frescoes date back to as early as the fourth century AD, including the Hunter’s Tomb and the Tombs of Hunting and Fishing or Lionesses.
For information: https://tarquiniaturismo.com
