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The car will pick you up at your hotel
for our first destination, Cerveteri. The local guide
will escort you to the area that is
considered to be one of the focal points where the Etruscan
civilization flourished. It is a
supremely beautiful region of Italy, bounded by the
Arno and Tiber Rivers, and the azure
Mediterranean Sea to the west. The Etruscan civilization
was profoundly affected by Greek culture.
The Etruscans in turn, then influenced the neighboring
early Republic of Rome. Many of the Latin authors mentioned
this fact in their writings. But the sole knowledge
we have today is contained
within the tombs of Tarquinia and Cerveteri. On the
way to Cerveteri, you will notice that along the
access road, there are small mounds covered with tombs.
The extent and splendor of the remains of this necropolis
testifies to the importance of the
city as well as to the Etruscan mastery of funerary
architecture. Within a pleasant background of
cypress, brooms and pines, the necropolis is actually
presented in the form of a city, with a street
of tombs indicated. Among these, some consist of underground
funerary chambers accessible by a door
that is plainly decorated. You will see that they have
moldings with a simple and sober layout. Other
tombs are known as tumuli. They date from the 7th century
BC, and follow the form of a conical mound
resting on a circular base.
We'll then continue to drive towards Tarquinia, a necropolis
that extends 5 km in length and 1
km in width. It contains thousands of tombs dating from
the 6th century BC through the 1st century BC.
Although there aren't any architectural features here,
there is an extraordinary assemblage of
paintings that decorate the walls in the underground
funerary rooms. You will see scenes of everyday
life such as dining, dancing, hunting and fishing.
There are pictures of horse races, games and spectacles.
Additionally, you will see images of
the afterlife including divinities, funerary rites and
religious symbols. The main attraction of the
town is one of the most interesting museums of central
Italy, the Museo Nazionale Tarquinese.
There, you will see mainly Etruscan exhibits and sarcophagi
that have been excavated from the
necropolis a few miles away.
Lunch will be available upon request at a typical, local
restaurant.
Sightseeing will continue on the way back to your hotel.
The tour is for a group
of up to 15 people.
It includes private car/minibus
and a fluent, English speaking tour-manager.
A local official guide in the Cerveteri and Tarquinia
Necropolises are recommendable and available
upon request.
PLEASE NOTE:
Meals and site tickets are not included
in the price.
Please contact us for more information and
price estimates.
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