This document proposes a 2-3 day tour of the Etruscan region between Rome and Florence, focusing on the towns and sites around Cerveteri, Tolfa, Tarquinia, Tuscania, and Pitigliano. The tour would explore the archaeological sites, medieval towns, and natural beauty of the area, as well as sample local cuisine. It provides two route options and recommends two hotels that were personally tested by the author.

1. From Rome to Florence
Part 1: Etruscan Tuscany

2. Introduction
A quick and visual tour proposal for Etruria between Lazio and Tuscany. Easily
accessible from Rome it is home of the Etruscan civilization (and equally rich in
Roman, Medieval and Reinassence heritage) may represent a 2/3 day break mixing
history/art, nature, food and...spas.
From Rome it’s a total of about 200 Km, depending on the route. The tour could be
extended to the more “classical” Tuscany (Siena, Sangimignano on to Florence), or
toward the coast.
Reaching the motorway will allow to return to Rome or go to Florence and beyond
in a couple of hours.

3. Option B
Option A

4. Cerveteri
Ruspoli Palace Old Castle
53 Km from Rome
Etruscan town, UNESCO site from 2004, has medieval and reinassance buildings...

5. ...In addition to the famous necropolis

6. Tolfa
92 Km from Rome
39 Km from Cerveteri
Medieval village that grew significantly after 1453 when,
due the fall of Costantinopoli, the area became important
for its alum mines

7. Allumiere
The word "alumen" occurs in Pliny's Natural History.
Alum was imported mainly from the Middle East, and, when the fall of Costantinopolis
to the Turks cut the supply, rich mines were discovered in the region.
From the late 15th century onwards, the Papal States for hundreds of years supplied
alum to all of Europe
Its use there was as a dye-fixer (mordant) for wool.
In England, as imports from the Papal States were ceased following the
excommunication of Henry VIII attempts were made throughout the 16th century, but
without success until early on in the 17th century to create artificial alum.
An industry was founded in Yorkshire to process the shale which contained the key
ingredient, aluminium sulfate, together with human urine and made an important
contribution to the Industrial Revolution.

8. Allumiere
Museum in the center of town, hosted in Allumiere was on the Allies’ route from
the Camera Apostolica palace Rome to the north
A satellite village of Tolfa is Allumiere, named
after the alum mines, that grew around the
“industrial” installation for its extraction and
processing.

9. Tarquinia
131 Km from Rome
35 Km from Tolfa
Important Etruscan town that gave Rome early 3 kings.
Fought against Rome but was defeated.
In the early Middle Age a new town was built on a hill nearby, which was
eventually incorporated into the Papal State

10. Tarquinia Etruscan Necropolis

11. Tarquinia: Etruscan Frescoes in the Necropolis

12. Tarquinia: The Roman Acqueduct
Acqueduct from early XVIII Century

13. Vetralla
166 Km from Rome
31 Km from Tarquinia
On the old Cassia Road, it was a stopping place on the
way to and from Rome. Along this route you JUST HAVE
to pass through it. No need to stop, really!

14. Tuscania
199 Km from Rome
22 Km from Vetralla
Etruscan town, followed developments similar to others in
the region, under Rome, free “city” , subject to the Papal
State

15. Tuscania S. Pietro Church

16. Tuscania Necropolis in the Caves

17. Tuscania
Roman Theatre
S. Maria Church

18. If choosing option B you can cut through
the lake of Bracciano...

19. Bracciano, the Odescalchi Castle

20. ...and then Viterbo, beautiful medieval city

21. The Etruscan Triangle: Sovana-Pitigliano-Sorano

22. Sovana

23. Sovana: The Dome

24. Sovana

25. Pitigliano

26. Pitigliano

27. Pitigliano

28. Saturnia

29. “Vie Cave” (carved Roads)

30. Sorano

31. A sample of local Food

32. Two Hotels, both tested personally
http://www.hotelsovana.com
http://www.fortezzahotel.it