There is an interesting trip northeastwards from Tarquinia on the Viterbo road to the little town of Tuscania (166m/548ft; pop. 8,000) which is still surrounded by medieval walls and towers. The ancient Tuscana, it was known until 1911 as Toscanella. A severe earthquake of February sixth 1971 destroyed the old town and damaged the churches outside the town. The houses have been rebuilt or restored, and the town has regained its former appearance.
North of Tuscania is the 15th century church of Santa Maria del Riposo. The adjoining monastery houses the Museo Nazionale Etrusco (Etruscan National Museum).
During the last years several Etruscan necropolises have been discovered in the surroundings of Tuscania.
To the east of Tuscania, on the Viterbo road, is the Romanesque church of San Pietro (eighth-12th centuries), with a richly decorated facade, a fine interior and an ancient crypt.
Near San Pietro, in the valley, the fine church of Santa Maria Maggiore (1050-1206), has an old pulpit and a fresco of the Last Judgment (14th century) on the wall of the choir.
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