Tarquinia Attractions

The town of Tarquinia, founded in the early medieval period on the territory of ancient Tarquinii, occupies a commanding situation on a limestone plateau above the River Marta, 5km/3mi from the Tyrrhenian Sea and some 20km/12mi north of Civitavecchia.

The main attraction of the Tarquinii archaeological site is the Etruscan cemetery. The tombs contained within are richly decorated with pictures detailing the culture, art, and religion of the former inhabitants.

Palazzo Vitelleschi is a mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles, built in the 15th C. It is home to the Museo Nazionale Tarquiniense, known for its Etruscan antiquities.

Capalbio, Italy

(Near Tarquinia)

From 1979 to 1987 the French artist Niki de Saint Phalle built the "Park of the Tarot" near the village of Capalbio. The 22 huge concrete sculptures depict the symbols of the tarot cards.

Cathedral

Near the Palazzo Vitelleschi in Tarquinia is the modernized cathedral with 16th century frescoes by Antonio da Viterbo in the chancel. The picturesque quarters in the north of the town with their churches, towers and old houses, built around the Palazzo dei Priori, and the church of San Pancrazio, have preserved medieval features.

San Francesco

In the east of Tarquinia stands the fine Romanesque and Gothic church of San Francesco (13th century).

Santa Maria di Castello

At the northwest tip of Tarquinia, near the remains of the Castello, the church of Santa Maria di Castello (1121-1208) has a three-naved basilica and is both externally and internally embellished with Cosmatesque decoration.