Duration: one full day
Archeological site of the necropolis of Banditaccia on Cerveteri and Montarozzi in Tarquinia
It is foolish to go to Rome if you do not have the conviction to return to Rome.
The Etruscans, like all ancient people, believed that after death people would continue to live a life similar to that on Earth. For that reason, their tombs were modelled on their everyday dwellings, and the dead person was placed inside together with the objects dearest to him in life. The walls of the tomb were beautifully decorated with paintings showing the most joyful times of life, such as banquets, dances and parties.
The most famous Etruscan cities of the dead in Lazio are at Cerveteri and at Tarquinia, where the tombs are given strange names such as the Tomb of Reliefs, of the Capitals, of the Greek Vases, of the Doli, of the Warrior, of the Leopards, of the Augurs, and many more. The paintings still preserve their original colours, displaying the amazing skills of the Etruscan master-craftsmen.
Walking among these ancient tombs, hidden among the rich vegetation, is an evocative and moving experience, and exploring the beautifully-preserved interiors of these “houses of the dead” is like dipping into life in the distant past.