Introduction to the city

The ancient city of Tarquinia, originally known as Corneto, is located in the province of Viterbo in the Italian region of Lazio. It is famous for the numerous ancient Etruscan tombs in the necropolis or cemetery that it overlies, for which it was given UNESCO World Heritage status. In 1922, the name was changed to Tarquinii (Roman), also known as Tarch(u)na (Etruscan). Even though the old city’s former vast richness and expanse are barely discernible, archaeology is gradually showing hints of its former splendor. The Monterozzi Necropolis, the largest necropolis in Tarchuna, contains over 6,000 graves, 200 of which had exquisite wall murals, and many of which were tumulus tombs with chambers carved into the rock below. A portion of this necropolis can be seen today.

The Monterozzi Necropolis, the largest necropolis in Tarchuna, contains over 6,000 graves, 200 of which had exquisite wall murals, and many of which were tumulus tombs with chambers carved into the rock below. A portion of this necropolis can be seen today.

The painted scenes offer a priceless window into the little-known and clandestine world of the Etruscans and are of a caliber that is nearly unmatched elsewhere in the Etruscan world. They display sporting events, sexual and occasionally legendary scenarios, as well as banquets with dances and music. In later times, processions of magistrates and other emblems of the rank of the prominent members of the families buried there were painted, as well as underworld demons accompanying the dead on their journey to the afterlife and images from the nether world.