Page 19 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

DISC OVERING IT AL Y  17

A Tour of
Etruscan Italy
• Duration 7 days – but
extends to a 10-day tour
with the extra suggestions.
• Airports Arrive at Rome
Fiumicino airport and depart
from Pisa Galileo Galilei
(trains from Florence to
Pisa take 1 hour).
• Transport This tour is most
easily done by car, though
Cerveteri is accessible by bus
from Rome and Tarquinia,
and Orvieto by train. Well-preserved “street” of Etruscan tombs, Cerveteri
Day 3: Tarquinia Then head towards the forest-
Spend some time in Tarquinia clad Apennines for charming
This tour focuses on the (p470). The medieval centre Gubbio (p356), where the
ancient Etruscan sights and here was the capital of Etruria Palazzo dei Consoli houses the
museums of Lazio, Umbria 2,500 years ago. Head uphill famous seven bronze Eugubine
and Tuscany, as well as other to the necropolis, a warren Tablets inscribed with Etruscan
interesting sights along the of tombs that hold lively and letters, and where the strange
way. For more on Italy’s first colourful frescoes depicting Porte della Morte, walled-up
major civilization, see pp48–9. the lives of their inhabitants. doors, were once supposedly
For more revelations of used for the transport of coffins.
Day 1: Rome everyday life and artistry, head
Be inspired by the world’s best for the Museo Archeologico,
collections of Etruscan treasures where, alongside the famous
in the Etruscan Museum of terracotta winged horses, are
the Vatican (p424) and the fine displays of jewellery,
Museo Nazionale Etrusco in bronzes and ceramics.
the Villa Giulia (p444). The
tender portrayals of people on To extend your trip…
the sarcophagi, the delicate Visit the Renaissance
and intricate gold jewellery and gardens of Villa Lante at Volterra, once an important Etruscan city
lifelike bronze sculptures display Viterbo (pp468–9), 64 km
amazing craftsmanship. Leave (40 miles) from Tarquinia. Day 6: Volterra
time for the lovely gardens of The city of Volterra (p338) is
the Villa Borghese (pp442–3). home to the excellent Museo
Day 4: Orvieto and Todi Guarnacci and beautiful
Day 2: Cerveteri You can see more Etruscan Etruscan funerary urns, made
Feel the mystery of the vast remains in Orvieto (pp362–3), out of alabaster, for which the
necropolis at Cerveteri (p470) at the Museo Archeologico region is famous. For more
as you stroll its silent streets. Faina and Museo Civico, at the alabaster, visit the Pinacoteca e
Here, see the tombs that were Necropoli Etrusca, and even Museo Civico and browse the
built as replicas of homes, during a tour of Orvieto craft shops.
decorated with frescoes and Underground (www.orvieto
filled with domestic furnishings. underground.it). The fine To extend your trip…
Fifty thousand Etruscans were beautiful Duomo and the A 32 km (20 mile) drive from
entombed here from the 7th to 16th-century Pozzo di San Volterra takes you to San
the 1st century BC in what was Patrizio add to the attractions. Gimignano (pp348–9) and
one of the most powerful of From here travel to nearby its 13th-century towers.
the 12 Etruscan cities. Visit the Todi (p363). This dramatic
Museo Nazionale Cerite to see hilltop town is home to the
displays of objects that were Museo Etrusco-Romano. Day 7: Florence
buried with the bodies. Finish your tour in Florence
Day 5: Chiusi and Gubbio and visit the Medici Etruscan
To extend your trip… Make your way northwards for collection in the Museo
Head 64 km (40 miles) Chiusi (p336) and the Museo Archeologico (p281), which
from Rome to the Etruscan Nazionale Etrusco for its fine includes two outstanding
amphitheatre at Sutri (p470). display of urns and vases taken sculptures – the Chimera and
from the surrounding tombs. the Arringatore (Orator) bronze.

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