Tarquinia has ancient Etruscan roots
Tarquinia has ancient Etruscan roots dating back to the 8th century B.C. and used to be Etruscan capital.
Tarquinia Old Town has Aristocratic Palaces
The old town of Tarquinia or Tarquini in Etruscan times, enchants us with its aristocratic look of the Town Hall Palace and its surrounding buildings. In the Town Hall Palace, built around the 13th century, you can admire the painted walls of the meeting room dating back to the 16th and 17th century.
The Town Hall Palace consists of two palaces: Palazzo del Podesta and Palazzo dei Priori. The loggia at the front dates back to 1336 but the staircase dates from the 14th century.
In front of the Town Hall Palace there is the beautiful square Giacomo Matteotti. In the square you can admire the elegance and beauty of the aristocratic buildings from Home Caffe terrace. On the terrace you can enjoy the best espresso complimented by delicious cakes. And you can admire the exquisite marble Fountain called Fontana di Piazza located in front of the Town Hall Palace.
The Fountain was built between 1723 – 1725 by sculptor F. Pincellotti following the design of the architect F. Barigioni.
Tarquinia has ancient Etruscan roots
But what makes Tarquinia unique and special? The Etruscan painted tombs of course. These amazing painted tombs date back to the 6th century B.C. when the Etruscan aristocracy wanted to display their social status even after death.
Tarquinia reminds us of the painted tombs in the Valley of the Kings in Antique Egipt. More than 20 painted tombs will mesmerize and fascinate you with their walls decoration in vivid colors. The paintings depict animals, scenes from fishing and hunting, demons, banquets, singers and dancers.
The Necropolis of Tarquinia is in the Unesco World Heritage List and has 200 tombs out of which 62 are painted. You can visit 20 painted tombs that were restored.
Among the oldest painted tombs there are: the tomb of the Bulls (530B.C.), the Hunting and Fishing tomb (510 B.C.), the tomb of the Hunter (510-500 B.C.). Other famous tombs are the tomb of the Lionesses (520 B.C.) and the tomb of the Leopards (480-470 B.C.).
In Tarquinia I recommend you to visit The National Archeological Museum in Palazzo Vitelleschi, built in the 15th century. In the museum you can admire amazing Etruscan and Greek pottery and artefacts. Some of the most interesting are: the bucchero vases collection, the beautiful terracotta winged horses and the Sarcophagus of the Magistrate. You can admire several beautiful Etruscan tombs with painted walls in the museum.
