Etruscan necropolis at Cerveteri

Etruscan necropolis at Cerveteri is one of the many archeological wonders of the region you can visit on a Lazio villa holiday.

Ten years ago when my Roman friend Lucciano suggested I take my daughters aged 8 and 10 to visit the necropolis at Cerveteri I have to admit it didn’t seem like a very jolly day out for the children to me. How wrong, they loved it and so did I.

Maybe it was partly because we really didn’t know what to expect and perhaps also the fact that so much of it is underground it’s actually a very cool, pleasant place to be on a baking hot summers day.

To be honest I had never even heard of the Etruscans until I started to work in the area looking for suitable, high quality holiday villas in Lazio. Everyone knows about the Roman Empire but very few are aware of the incredible Etruscan empire which pre-dated them.

The Etruscans were highly developed builders and they were also gifted artists who produced extremely elegant, stylized pottery and paintings. I had the privilege of handling an original Etruscan vase and was amazed at how light and refined the work was.

There is a considerable legacy of the Etruscan empire in the Lazio area, particularly in the rolling countryside to the north of Rome. The acropolis at Cerveteri is one of the most important sites.

What struck me the most was the scale of the Cerveteri necropolis. I hadn’t expected such a vast site. Also it is so well preserved after so many years, so you can walk inside the underground mounds and examine the walls and features.

The children thought it was fascinating too, they loved hiding in and around the mounds and reveled in the mystical air which surrounds the site, it both exited them visually and stimulated their imagination.

We were careful to follow my friends advise and made sure we got there early before the crowds arrived then finished off the day with a dip in the sea after lunch by the beach.

Take a villa holiday in Bracciano or rent a house in Viterbo in Lazio and you will soon realize that there is lots to do for the whole family as well as relaxing by the pool of your luxurious holiday home.

We can assist with any information you require regaring travel in the area or help you find the right self catering accommodation for your needs, please do not hesitate to ask, you can trust us to give you honest, impartial advice.