Canino: Etruscan Traces, the Fiora and Green Asparagus

Canino Between History and Landscape

Canino offers several ways to explore history, landscape and local products. For travellers wishing to combine cultural sites with experiences in nature, the Vulci Park, Canino’s buildings, the Fiora and Asparago Verde di Canino IGP take centre stage. This allows the trip to be planned according to different interests: with archaeological sites, a nature trail, historic architecture and a product clearly associated with Canino.

Vulci and the Etruscan Evidence

The archaeological and natural park of Vulci encompasses the remains of the Etruscan and Roman cities. The François Tomb comprises seven burial chambers arranged around a central T-shaped room. Its frieze contrasts episodes from Greek mythology with episodes from the history of Etruria and Rome. In the Necropoli Orientale di Vulci, the Cuccumella tumulus has a diameter of approximately 65 metres and is considered the largest tumulus in Etruscan history. The Tomba delle Iscrizioni takes its name from the inscriptions concerning the deceased buried there that appear at the entrance to each chamber.

Museums of Vulci

The Archaeological Museum of Vulci is located in the Castello della Badia. It presents the history of the city from its Etruscan beginnings in the 9th to 8th century BCE through to the Roman conquest in 280 BCE. The Museo della Ricerca Archeologica di Vulci contains a full-size reconstruction of the fresco cycle from the François Tomb and displays finds dating from the Iron Age to the 3rd to 2nd century BCE. It has an accessible entrance and an accessible car park for people with disabilities.

Collegiata, Tower and Palazzo

The Collegiata dei SS. Giovanni e Andrea in Canino was inaugurated in 1793. Alessandro Farnese, later Pope Paul III, was born on 28 February 1468 in the Torre Papa Paolo III e Rocca Farnese in Canino. Palazzo Bonaparte features significant neoclassical decorative elements; its piano nobile retains a valuable wooden ceiling with polychrome tiles.

The Fiora, Nature Trail and Historic Bridge

Towards the end of its approximately 80-kilometre course, the Fiora River passes through the Canino area. A nature trail in Vulci Park leads through the Fiora River valley to Lake Pellicone. The bridge beside Castello dell’Abbadia has Etruscan foundations, was modernised in later periods, is 30 metres high and can be crossed on foot. Trekking tours and mountain-bike visits in Vulci Park were organised by reservation.

Thermal Springs and Green Asparagus

The thermal springs of Canino were already valued in Etruscan and Roman times, as evidenced by the Cento Camere archaeological site in Musignano, with its Roman thermal facilities. Asparago Verde di Canino IGP is produced exclusively in Canino, Montalto di Castro and Tarquinia. The Sagra dell’Asparago Verde di Canino was held on 25 April or shortly afterwards, offering an opportunity to taste the local asparagus. When choosing your accommodation in Canino, you can decide whether to focus your days on archaeology, nature or local products.

Further Places for Orientation

Orvieto, Morrano Nuovo, Schifanoia, Itieli, Ripalvella, Portaria, Stroncone and Carnaiola.

For the higher-level travel overview: Terni.