Necropolis of Monterozzi, Ancient Etruscan necropolis in Tarquinia, Italy.
The Necropolis of Monterozzi is an Etruscan burial ground with thousands of rock-cut tombs lining the terraced hillsides east of Tarquinia. These roughly 6,000 chamber tombs are arranged in rows and spread across a large area with painted interiors.
The burial ground was built starting in the 7th century BC and shows how Etruscan civilization evolved over centuries. The painted chambers reveal how this culture developed before Rome came to power in the region.
The painted tombs show scenes of musicians, dancers, and feasts that reflect how Etruscan upper-class families lived and what they valued. These wall paintings give visitors a window into the daily customs and beliefs of this ancient society.
You can enter about 20 selected tombs through modern protective structures and join guided tours in several languages. The site is open Tuesday through Sunday, and wearing sturdy shoes helps when walking the hillside paths.
The site preserves roughly 200 painted tombs, which together form the largest collection of pre-Roman pictorial art in the Mediterranean. These wall paintings are exceptional because they captured everyday scenes from ancient times that are rarely found elsewhere.
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