Hubbry Logo
search
logo
2019446

Cerveteri

logo
Community Hub0 Subscribers
Write something...
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
See all
Cerveteri

Cerveteri (Italian: [tʃerˈvɛːteri]) is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Italian region of Lazio. Known by the ancient Romans as Caere, and previously by the Etruscans as Caisra or Cisra, and as Agylla (or Άγυλλα) by the Greeks, its modern name derives from Caere Vetus used in the 13th century to distinguish it from Caere Novum (the current town).

It is the site of an ancient Etruscan city, one of the most important Etruscan cities, with an area more than 15 times larger than today's town. The best-known structures on the site form the Banditaccia Necropolis.

Caere was one of the city-states of the Etruscan League and at its height, around 600 BC, its population was perhaps around 25,000 – 40,000 people.

The ancient city was situated about 7 km (4.3 mi) from the sea, a location that made it a wealthy trading town derived originally from the iron-ore mines in the Tolfa Hills.

It had three sea ports including Pyrgi, connected to Caere by a road about 13 km (8.1 mi) long and 10 m (33 ft) wide, and Punicum.

Pyrgi was also known for its sanctuary of monumental temples from 510 BC, built by the king of Caere and dedicated to the goddesses Leucothea and Ilithyia, of whom several sculptures are exhibited at the Villa Giulia.

Little is known of the ancient city, although six temples are known from various sources. Two of them have been excavated, one of Hera, the other in the north of the city. Parts of the city walls are still visible today and excavations opened up a theatre. Three necropoleis were found. The contents of the tombs were excavated, often chaotically and illegally; over the last few centuries they have yielded rich and exquisite objects, including ceramics and jewellery that today grace many of the world's museums. One famous and important work of art is the Sarcophagus of the Spouses.

The most famous attraction of Cerveteri is the Etruscan Necropoli della Banditaccia, which has been declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site together with the necropolis in Tarquinia. It covers an area of 400 hectares (990 acres), of which 10 hectares (25 acres) can be visited, encompassing a total of about 1,000 tombs often housed in characteristic mounds. It is the largest ancient necropolis in the Mediterranean area. The name Banditaccia comes from the leasing (bando) of areas of land to the Cerveteri population by the local landowners.

See all
User Avatar
No comments yet.