Civitella Cesi: Etruscan Traces, Trails and Nature

Civitella Cesi combines medieval fortifications, Etruscan archaeology and natural landscapes to create a destination with several clearly distinguishable focal points. If you are interested in history or want to explore trails through a relatively unaltered environment, you will encounter both tangible evidence of past settlements and designated nature and hiking themes here.

Fortress and Medieval Traces

The origins of the Castello di Civitella Cesi date back to the first half of the 11th century. On the outside, the structure preserves the layout of a medieval fortification, particularly along its side flanks and rear façade. In Civitella Cesi, this testimony to the town's medieval history thus stands alongside the much older archaeological traces of San Giovenale.

The San Giovenale archaeological site preserves the remains of archaic Etruscan houses from the 7th and 6th centuries BC. The houses were built from blocks of tuff and covered with terracotta tiles. At the same site, the ruins of the Castello Di Vico and the Chiesa di San Giovenale bear witness to partial resettlement in the Middle Ages, before the settlement was completely depopulated in the 15th century.

Archaeology and Sacred Art

Antiquitates in Civitella Cesi combines an archaeological education park, an open-air museum and a research centre for experimental archaeology. The site complements the preserved ruins with another way of engaging with archaeology. The Chiesa di San Leonardo contains altar paintings of the Madonna and Child with Saints Leonardo and Antonio, the Madonna with Saint Isidore, and the Madonna del Rosario with Saint Dominic and Saint Catherine of Siena.

Natural Environment and Wildlife

The San Giovenale and Civitella Cesi SIC area has been designated a Site of Community Importance because of its highly natural character and limited human alteration. Numerous diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey occur in the area, including the black stork (Ciconia nigra). The tuff cliffs are considered ideal nesting sites for the birds of prey found there. For your trip planning, this creates a landscape theme that combines wildlife observation and geological distinctiveness without overshadowing the archaeological character of the surroundings.

Trails of Different Lengths

The Caprareccia walking and riding trail in the San Giovenale and Civitella Cesi SIC area is approximately 3,800 metres long. The Lontaneto walking and riding trail in the same SIC area is approximately 1,500 metres long. The two different trail lengths help you organise your day according to the desired scope of the activity.

The Lontaneto trail leads to the archaeological area of San Giovenale. In addition, the seventh stage of the Cammino Tuscia 103 from Civitella Cesi to Monte Romano passes through the archaeological area of San Giovenale. This stage can be completed on foot or by mountain bike. Thus, short trails of different lengths and a long-distance hiking stage come together in one place.

Local Flavours

The Sagra delle fettuccine al tartufo in Civitella Cesi is also part of the local character. The event adds a culinary accent alongside the themes of the fortress, Etruscan settlement, natural environment and trails.

More Destinations

Pescia Romana, Marina Di Pescia Romana, Farnese, Vetralla, Bomarzo, Towns, Tuscania and Sutri

To the main travel overview: Viterbo.