Necropolis of Tarquinia, called also Etruscan necropolis of Monterozzi, overlies on a highland to the east of the city with some 6000 tombs, many of which were covered by tumulus with chambers carved in the rock below.
The oldest ones date from VII century BC. Among thousands graves, at least 200 are decorated with a number of frescos which are the main core of the Etruscan art came to us so far and the largest evidence of ancient painting before Roman age. Together with the necropolis of Cerveteri it is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Etruscan civilization.
Indice
What you can see in Tarquina
Burial chambers are designed as home interiors with walls decorated by frescos representing religious and magical plays like funeral feasts, dancers, musicians playing aulòs, landscapes.
Colors are deep and bright and the movement is hectic and it's made by fluidflowing lines. These pictorial representation had the intention to make the departed remember his/her past life on Earth and to make relatives forget the pain of losing. On the other hand decorations look like following the Etruscan people's destiny. In fact there are images which date from III century BC, close to the Etruscan civilization ending, representing devil scenes and monsters.
The most beautiful graves are the Leonesse, Guerriero, Fiorellini, Baccanti, Orco and Scudi, to name a few. Some frescos were took off from the walls to preserve them from deterioration and now collected in the National Etruscan Museum of Tarquinia.
From 2004 Etruscan Necropolis of Tarquinia was awarded as UNESCO World Heritage status.
We suggest you to visit also the National Archaeological Museum of Tarquinia hosted by Palazzo Vitelleschi. It's one of the most important among all the Italian museums for Etruscan civilization art and relics.
Imagine Copyright: By AlMare - Own work, Public Domain
Tarquinia Opening Hours
With the start of winter time (from the end of October to the end of March) Necropolis is open from 8.30 am until one hour before dusk.
During the rest of the year, Necropolis match the timetables of Museum: from 8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Close on Monday, 25 December and 1 January.
Tickets
Ticket price per person (cumulative: Necropolis of Tarquinia + National Etruscan Museum): full € 8,00 - reduced € 4,00
You may choose between Necropolis or Museum only. In this case the full price is € 6,00 and reduced is € 3,00.
Tickets offices close one hour before visits.
Free entry for students under 18 and people with limited mobility.
Free entry for anyone on the first Sunday of every month.
Contacts
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE CARD:
FOUNDATION: VII BC
SUNSET: II BC
CIVILIZATION: Etruscans
REGION: Lazio
PROVINCE: Viterbo
ADMINISTRATION: Superintendence for archaeology, fine arts and landscaping of Rome metropolitan area, province of Viterbo and southern Etrurian.
REDISCOVERY: XIX century
Tarquinia hotels
Booking.comHow to get to Tarquinia
BY TRAIN
The nearest national railway station is Tarquinia’ s . The site is about 4 Km from it.
BY BUS
It’s possible to get Necropolis by COTRAL regional coach lines. Check the web-site to get more info about timelines, prices and routes.
BY CAR
From Rome: motorway A12 until Civitavecchia then keep driving on trunk road Aurelia to the exit of Tarquinia.
From Grosseto: trunk road Aurelia, southbound.
From Viterbo: via Vetralla and Monte Romano or via Tuscania.
Once you get Tarquinia keep following street signs of Necropolis.
