A fantastic site within which you will really feel like you can go back in time and relive the mysterious and fascinating life of the Etruscan civilization. Absolutely the largest ancient necropolis in the entire Mediterranean area.
The archaeological area of Cerveteri, included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites, includes the Necropolis of Banditaccia, the Area of the Great Tumuli, the Tombs of the Municipality, the Great Tumulus of Campo della Fiera, Necropoli del Laghetto, Via degli Inferi
It belonged to the ancient city of Caere (Cerveteri) and took its name at the end of the 19th century when the land in the area was “banished” that is, rented with a public tender by the owners of Cerveteri in favor of the local population.
The best-known area is the so-called “Fence Area” and is the only one used and equipped to be visited and contains around 2000 tombs.
In this area, you will find yourself walking among the characteristic Circular Mounds with hemispherical caps, the so-called “Dado” tombs and the large Gentile Hypogea, which are located along the Main Sepulchral Street and the smaller streets.
The feeling during the visit is magnificent, also because the area is full of trees and covered by a green lawn.
The Cerveteri necropolis is divided into 3 sectors: Area of the Great Tumuli, Tombs of the Municipality, Area of the Laghetto and Via degli Inferi
The Tombs
Among the most evocative is the Tomba dei Rilievi (4th century BC) to be observed through protective glass. The inscriptions found inside attest to the tomb’s belonging to the Matunas family who had it embellished with magnificent decorations and stucco reliefs depicting everyday objects and figures of demons.
In its 6 meters of length it includes 13 double funerary niches in painted stucco with red cushions, household objects and animals.
It displays on its walls a rich parade of everyday objects rendered in stucco and paintings.
The Tomba dei Capitelli boasts a flat roof that faithfully reproduces that of the houses with a wooden beam and reed structure with a small entrance corridor and two small side rooms
The Tomb of the Greek Vases, dating back to the 6th century BC and so called due to the large quantity of vases found inside, is made up of three burial chambers which are accessed through a corridor that imitates an Etruscan temple .
Immersed in the vegetation, you will also find, among others, the Tomba del Pozzo, the Tumulo Mengarelli and the Tumulo Maroi.
Thousands of mound tombs, dating from the 8th to the 2nd century. to. C., many of which can usually be visited via iron ladders and following a map given at the entrance, but also the signs placed along the route.
Among the “Commune” tombs, we remember those of theAlcova, the Sarcophagi, the Triclinium, the Tamsnie, monuments that offer testimony to the exceptional nature of the experiences of funerary architecture of ancient Caere.
The archaeological site of Cerveteri presents, in the funerary context, the same urban and architectural concepts of the Etruscan cities
It is one of the largest necropolises of the ancient world. The oldest tombs are of the well type, with cremations in biconical vases, and of the pit type for inhumations.
It is also possible to purchase guided tours thanks to which expert guides will lead visitors through the main funerary monuments, providing detailed explanations on the history, architecture and ritual uses linked to the site.
Bandidaccia Necropolis
Via della Necropoli 43/45
Cerveteri (Rome)
Lazio – Italy
Further Information
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