This content was automatically translated. View the original text.
The Archaeological Area of Centocamere in Grotte di Castro: the Etruscan Necropolis Carved in Tufa
The Archaeological Area of Centocamere is located in Grotte di Castro, a few minutes' walk from the centre of the village. The site comprises an Etruscan necropolis from the 6th–4th century BC, carved into the tufa cliff that borders the plateau where the town stands. The name comes from the dozens of visible funerary chambers, although in reality there are many more. The Etruscans exploited the volcanic rock to create chamber tombs with corridors, niches and lateral cells.
Structure of the Tombs
The chambers are arranged on multiple levels, connected by stairways and tunnels carved in the rock. Some have a rectangular plan with a double-pitched ceiling, imitating wooden dwellings, others are circular with a domed vault. The walls contain traces of red and black colours, the remains of pictorial decorations. The grave goods were found during excavations in the 20th century, and are preserved in the Civic Museum of Grotte di Castro: ceramics, weapons, bronze jewellery.
Visits and Setting
The site is open-air, accessible by a path that starts from the road to Onano. There are no recent explanatory panels, but the structure of the tombs is clearly visible. The necropolis was part of a larger system: in the surrounding area there are other Etruscan funerary areas, a sign that an important settlement was located here. Grotte di Castro is 5 kilometres from Lake Bolsena, in the heart of Etruscan territory.
