Archaeological and natural park of Vulci rises in the center of Maremma in the Lazio region between the municipalities of Montalto di Castro and Canino. It covers an area of 900 hectares sorrounded by barren lands with beautiful canyons of volcaninc origin and where river Fiore ends in Pellicone lake through a waterfall. Ruins of the Etruscan city of Vulci are preserved by these natural treasures.
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History
The city was popular over the ancient world thanks to trading and craftwork. Local craft of Vulci is at its height especially in the VI century BC due to a rich production of sculptures, bronze statues and precious ceramics exported all over the Mediterranean basin.
But Vulci went early against Rome and was beaten in the 280 BC loosing a large number of territories. It was the beginning of its decay and the city disappeared.
The archaeological park of Vulci
The visitor can choose many of itineraries spread through excavations and natural beauties. Ruins of houses , thermal baths, defensive walls and Porta Urbana testify that this city-state existed for real.
Next to Porta Ovest one can stare at the Roman acqueduct which is also the entrance to the archaeological park. Inside this area there are Roman forum, Great Temple and Arco Onorario, a triumphal arch by the Roman senator Publius Sulpicius Mundus who lived between the I and II centuries AD.
It's worth mentioning as well Sacellum of Heracles, thermal baths and the Domus with typical mosaic floors and underground environments of high histocal interest. There's also a large number of Etruscan necropoleis. The most interesting is the western necropolis due to Tomb of Francois, known around the world thanks to its paintings, tomb of Inscriptions and the amazing mound of Cuccumella.
A few miles from the ticket office there's the National Archaeological Museum where there are on-display many relics found here during excavantion works.
Museum is hosted by the charming Medieval castle of Badia dating from the XIII century. The access to the castle is still an ancient bridge of Etruscan origin so called "Del Diavolo" (Evil) or "Dell'Arcobaleno" (Rainbow's) and it's more than 30 metres high.
Imagine copyright: Public Domain
Opening Hours
From 1 Jan to 31 March: 9am to 5pm
From 1 April to 30 June: 9am to 6pm
From 1 July to 31 August: 9am to 7pm
From 1 Sept to 30 Sept: 9am to 6pm
From 1 Oct to 31 Dec: 9am to 5pm
Public closures: 25 Dec and 6 Jan
Early closures on the 24th and the 25th of December
Tickets
Ticket cost: Full €8 - Reduced €5
Free entry under 6 years old and people with disabilities. Visit the web site for the complete list of categories allowed to reductions.
Contacts
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE CARD:
FOUNDATION: VIII century BC
SUNSET: III century BC
CIVILIZATION: Etruscans
REGION: Lazio
PROVINCE: Viterbo
MANAGEMENT: Soprintendenza per i Beni archeologici dell'Etruria Meridionale
REDISCOVERY: XX century
How to get to Vulci
BY TRAIN
The nearest rail station is Montalto di Castro. It's recommended to call the domestic taxi service because the archaeological site is about km 13 far from the station.
BY CAR
From South: motorway Roma- Civitavecchia then take trunk road SS 1 Aurelia as far as the exit of Vulci (Km 111). From the exit follow the road SPdel Fiore and then the SP della Badia (total distance Km 13).
From East: take freeway Orte-Viterbo as far as Viterbo , then take the road Viterbo-Tuscania-Montalto di Castro. At Montalto di Castro take the trunk road SS1 Aurelia heading to the North and take the exit at Km 111 (Vulci). Then follow the road SP del Fiora and finally SP della Badia (total distance Km 13).
