Discover Vetulonia: Etruscan Sites and Local History

Vetulonia is a destination for travellers who want to explore Etruscan and Roman history at actual archaeological sites and in an archaeological museum. In the modern village and the archaeological areas, you will encounter tombs, ancient architectural forms, excavation finds and visible wall remains. The Museo Civico Archeologico Isidoro Falchi and the National Archaeological Site of Vetulonia offer two different ways of accessing the history of the town.

The Museo Isidoro Falchi

The Museo Civico Archeologico Isidoro Falchi in Vetulonia displays Etruscan and Roman finds from excavations in the surrounding archaeological areas. The museum is divided into seven rooms spread over two floors. A lift and a tactile floor guidance system are part of the museum and provide clear orientation within the building.

In addition to the exhibition rooms, the Museo offers a series of educational workshops and themed guided tours for all visitor groups every year. These formats complement the viewing of the finds by providing different ways of engaging with Vetulonia’s archaeological topics.

Archaeological Sites around Vetulonia

The National Archaeological Site of Vetulonia comprises several sites near the modern village and along the Via dei Sepolcri, approximately 2 km from the village in the direction of Grosseto. The Via dei Sepolcri is an unpaved path that leads downhill to Vetulonia’s monumental tombs.

The Tomba del Belvedere dates from the period between the end of the 7th and the 6th century BC and has a square chamber with a short entrance dromos. The Tomba della Pietrera consists of two superimposed tombs and is the largest tomb monument in Vetulonia.

At Costa Murata, a rectangular building is visible that has been identified as a domus with a large atrium and a central cistern. The Tomba del Diavolino II is accessed via a long, partially open corridor.

Traces of the Ancient City

Casa Medea in Poggiarello Renzetti has an inner courtyard decorated with terracotta slabs. The slabs depict a Greek myth. The excavations at Scavi Città uncovered a large part of Vetulonia’s Etruscan settlement between the 3rd century and the middle of the 1st century BC.

At the highest point of the city, around 30 metres of the imposing Arce walls can be seen. Together with the tombs, the domus and the settlement remains, these sites show various architectural and chronological facets of Vetulonia.

Church and Bell Tower

The church of Ss. Simone e Giuda was elevated to the status of parish church in 1334. Its bell tower was built in 1400. Both dates place the church and tower within the medieval history of the town.

Getting to Vetulonia

A car is preferable for travelling to Vetulonia. Local public transport runs only a few times and is mainly used to transport schoolchildren to Grosseto. This circumstance is important to bear in mind if you want to combine a visit to the museum, the village and the archaeological sites.

More Destinations

More destinations: Roccamare, Punta Ala, Buriano, Tirli

To the main travel overview: Castiglione Della Pescaia.