CIVITAVECCIA (ROME) AND TARQUINIA, ITALY

April 27, 2023

Sunny, High 63 deg F


We docked in Civitavecchia, the closest port to Rome.   We are here with 5 other cruise ships, most much larger than ours.   Tourism is back!


As we have previously spent some good time in Rome and we knew the bus ride to Rome was about 2 hours (remember, Kristi, Shelli?), we decide to take a more local tour.   We went to the town of Tarquinia, a place where ancient Etruscan underground tombs of the ruling class have been discovered, and then to a museum of artifacts from the tombs.   Many artifacts were buried in the tombs because they believed that would help the deceased in the afterlife.   The artifacts, tomb wall paintings and frescoes provided a lot of information about the Etruscan culture, although their language has not yet been fully deciphered.      


The Etruscan period was around 900 BC to just about the time of the birth of Christ.   They were ultimately either assimilated into the Roman Empire or were crushed by the Romans.    It is a bit ironic because it is believed that Rome was initially an Etruscan state and much of Roman culture had Etruscan roots.   Anyway, the Etruscans had a distinctive culture.   They celebrated life and, although powerful militarily in their heyday, they weren’t motivated to invade and conquer other lands.   They were noted for their mineral resources and as a powerful trading power in the Mediterranean.   They lived mostly in peace except when defending their land and they loved life..   


Tarquinia is about a 30 minute drive north along the coast.   The coastal plain is very fertile and today produces many crops, including artichokes, grapes, wheat, strawberries and olives.   Our guide said the region is particularly noted for artichokes.   


               Farm land on the drive from the port to Tarquinia.   Very similar to Tuscany.


             The protective concrete structure was built over a stairway into the tomb.   
             There were at least 15 of these discovered in the rolling hills of the site.


   Inside one of the tombs.   Colors of frescoes still quite vivid after 2,500 years


            Another tomb


             Yet another tomb

                     Close-up of a fresco in the tomb


                  Museum in downtown Tarquinia was formerly a Palace frequented by
                  Cardinals from Rome.


                 Artifacts found inside a tomb and arranged as they were found.   
                 The body was laid out on the rock table.

              In later years bodies were placed in sarcophagi


                An artifact found in a tomb

                                   Another artifact found in tomb....probably 2,500 years old

               View from the top of the museum to the sea

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