The mysterious side of the Etruscan Land
Tour Highlights
Lazio the mysterious side of the Etruscan land, in the Tuscia region –in the province of Viterbo – “the Etruscan mystery“, even if stirring in the atmosphere of abandoned cities and vast and silent necropolis, is revealed more so than in other Etruscan areas.
Long before the Etruscans became a part of history with the acquisition of writings, they were present in the numerous protovillanovian and villanovian necropolis (X-VIII cent. B.C). Here in the Tuscia region, when well-known destiny decided on their decline, the Etruscan entrusted his breath of immortality in the rocky monumental necropolis. Long bands unfold along the tufaceous slopes, in places that are still protected by an eternal mystery, where the bright green vegetation contrasts and enhances the dark red tuff.
This is the Tuscia, a land to discover in the name of culture, the first and greatest population in Italy, aware in millennial paths, to warn the knowledge of life in deserted homes and the numerous necropolis, and in all areas that a deep human experience has made sacred. Follow us on Facebook!
Tour Itinerary
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DAY 1: ROME/BRACCIANO LAKE
As first day, group assemble in Rome airport or in your hotel in Rome. Leaving Rome we reach Anguillara, beautiful town on the shore of a volcanic lake of Bracciano, in time for a brief exploration of this medieval town and its picturesque lake. Accommodation in hotel and dinner. -
DAY 2: BRACCIANO/MONTERANO/BRACCIANO
Transfer to Monterano, ancient “ghost town” where we can visit the medieval city that has been mysteriously abandoned since 1799. Here we can visit the church and the castle admirably drawn by Gianlorenzo Bernini. We will explore the tortuous medieval lanes, following then paths that are woven between grasslands and woods on the tracks of the history. At the end of the walk, we will transfer to Oriolo Romano to visit the sixteenth-century Altieri Palace that preserves the only Popes’ Gallery of the world.Breakfast and dinner in hotel. Packed or picnic lunch
8/12km according to the group, 200m total ascent -
DAY 3:BRACCIANO/BARBARANO/BRACCIANO
A different day: transfer to visit the picturesque Etruscan necropolis of Marturanum, near of the beautiful medieval village of Barbarano Romano. This necropolis, one of the most popular in Lazio, encloses all the types of Etruscan tombs in an intact and wild environment, protected by a regional park; here we can walk along woods, deep valleys and small streams where lives a rare and abundant wildlife, including the wolf. On the plateaus it is possible to visit old rural chapels; the day ends with the visit of the village of Barbarano.Breakfast in hotel. Packed or picnic lunch. Dinner in hotel
10km, 150m total ascent -
DAY 4: DAY FREE
Free day at disposal for individual activities (not attended) or optional visits.
Opportunity to visit Rome or Viterbo, with transfer by train.
Breakfast in hotel. Free lunch and dinner (not included).Optional excursions :
There are various possibilities for the individual visit, all available by train from Bracciano;
1) Rome (direct train);
2) Viterbo (direct train);
3) Bracciano town (direct train or bus line service).
Above excursions are not attended. Train/bus ticket for the above destinations is NOT included -
DAY 5: BRACCIANO/MANZIANA/BRACCIANO
After visiting the castle of Bracciano, one of the best preserved of the late medieval era, we will walk through the thick forest of Manziana where we can admire an ancient Roman road perfectly preserved with its stones and bridge almost intact. Out of the forest we will reach the Caldara, a sign of residue volcanic activity of 500.000 years ago, with the typical “Maremma” (pratery) environment background that was used as set for many “Spaghetti-western” films. Our day ends with a good ice cream in the beautiful square of Manziana.Breakfast in hotel. Packed or picnic lunch. Dinner in hotel
12kms, no ascent -
DAY 6:BRACCIANO/SAN GIOVENALE/BLERA/BRACCIANO
Another immersion in the Etruscan civilization: we will walk along an ancient Etruscan road through meadows, valleys and cliffs to explore another famous Etruscan necropolis, the necropolis of San Giovenale. Included in an intact environment, our path will take us to an ancient Roman bridge called “the Devil’s Bridge”, once part of the main communication system, today lead only to dense woods and impenetrable valleys.Breakfast in hotel. Packed or picnic lunch. Dinner in hotel12km, 300m total ascent -
DAY 7: BRACCIANO/CAPRAROLA/NORCHIA/BRACCIANO
Norchia is the most grandiose and spectacular rock necropolis of Etruria. The tombs (from IV to I century BC) are arranged on terraces in the steep slopes in front of the ancient city centre. After the visit, we will move to Caprarola, to visit the Farnese Villa: it is an imposing building planned by Vignola in the XVI cent., where the most illustrious artists of the time worked at it, like Taddeo and Federico Zuccari, Giovanni de Vecchi, Giacomo Bertoja, Raffaellino da Reggio, and others.Breakfast in hotel. Packed or picnic lunch. Dinner in hotel. -
DAY 8: BRACCIANO/ROME
After an early breakfast we drive back at Rome airport or your hotel in Rome – end of service.
