Rome - National Etruscan Museum

(Local Name: Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia) The Villa Giulia, built by Vignola for Pope Julius III in 1550-55, has housed the national collection of Etruscan art since 1889. The museum provides a comprehensive survey of the high standard of art and culture attained by this mysterious people, whose achievements the Romans deliberately obscured. Particularly notable are the finds from Etruscan cemeteries (cinerary urns, reconstruction of a tomb from Cerveteri), fine small sculpture and everyday utensils, statuary (in particular the Apollo of Veii) and the famous sarcophagus from Cerveteri (c. 530 B.C.) with the reclining figures of a husband and wife. The museum contains much else of interest - figures and figurines, grave goods and votive offerings, pottery, glass, gold and silver jewelry.