Cerveteri is located in the northern part of the Lazio region, close to the city of Rome. This stunning town was once an ancient Etruscan city, occupying 15 times more land than it does today. This quiet town often gets brushed aside by tourists because it is not well known among the tourism community. Traveling to this remote town is a great way to break free from the daily chaos that encompasses Rome.

  • What was the original name of Cerveteri?
    • The city of Cerveteri was not always called by this name. To the Etruscan people, Cerveteri was known as Caere or Cisra and was located less than 10 miles from the coast.
  • How did Cerveteri become an important trade center?
    • The closeness of the sea helped turn this city into a huge seaport district and trade was much easier as the shore was close to the city center.
  • What goods were commonly traded in ancient Cerveteri?
    • During the 7th century B.C., trading was a common practice among the Etruscan people, and jewelry and pottery became the top products sold within the city and to outside buyers.
  • What was Cerveteri’s stance on piracy?
    • The townspeople of Cisra detested pirates and swore to never to become involved in that kind of activity.
  • When was Caere first mentioned in historical records?
    • The name Caere is first mentioned in the history books in the Battle of Alalia, in 540 B.C.
  • What was the relationship between Caere and Rome?
    • Throughout history, Caere always maintained a firm relationship with the city of Rome. Both cities knew that they needed one another to survive in the world.
  • How did Rome eventually take over Caere?
    • Unfortunately for the Etruscans of Caere, the Romans could not be trusted and the Roman Empire eventually took over the city and its people.
  • What happened to Caere by the 1st century A.D.?
    • By the beginning of the 1st century A.D., it became apparent that the wealth and richness of the city had been completely taken over by the Romans.
  • When was Cerveteri recognized as a World Heritage Site?
    • UNESCO named Cerveteri a World Heritage Site in 2004, along with the neighboring city of Tarquinia.
  • What is the Necropoli della Banditaccia?
    • The most famous attraction of Cerveteri is called Necropoli della Banditaccia, whereby a necropolis, or city of the dead, is a large, ancient cemetery.
  • How large is the Necropoli della Banditaccia?
    • Out of the 1,000 acres of land occupied by the necropolis, only 25 acres can be visited by tourists.
  • How were burial sites distinguished by wealth?
    • The tombs of the wealthy can be easily distinguished among the other burial sites. If a person was poor or from the middle class, they were most likely to have little more than a hole or a pit in which their bodies were laid to rest.
  • What were the burial beliefs of the Etruscans?
    • The Etruscan people believed that they would live another life after death, therefore they were often buried with their personal items.
  • What are the most famous tombs in Cerveteri?
    • The most famous tombs that have been uncovered so far are the Tomb of the Painted Lions (620 B.C.), the Tomb of the Reliefs (4th- 2nd century), and the Regolini-Galassi Tomb (7th century).
  • What notable discoveries were found in the tombs?
    • The Tomb of the Reliefs bears inscriptions revealing that the Mantuni family was buried there. The Regolini-Galassi Tomb was uncovered in recent years, and gold and jewelry were found within the tomb.
  • How was the necropolis designed?
    • The necropolis was built to resemble the streets of the ancient Etruscan city of Caere in order to make the burial process easier for the people.
  • What royal structure was built in Cerveteri?
    • The palace of the royal family Ruspoli was built in 1533. Through an enclosed bridge, it connects to the Santa Maria Maggiore Church.
  • What notable artwork is found in Cerveteri?
    • The Sant’Antonio Abate Church bears a wall fresco painted in 1472 by Lorenzo da Viterbo, an Italian artist and painter who worked on many churches and buildings during the Renaissance.
  • What is Cerveteri known for besides its history?
    • Cerveteri is known not only for its ancient Etruscan city and large ancient cemetery, but also for producing some of the most delicious red and white wines in the region.
  • How is Cerveteri’s wine unique?
    • While the harvests are limited, the end result is a pure glass of heaven. The wines are often blended with other wines to produce a richer flavor and taste.

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