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Park of the Ancient City of Sutri: Seven Hectares of Archaeology Carved from Tufa
Along the Via Cassia, a short distance from the centre of Sutri (VT), is the Sutri Regional Natural Park. It is the smallest in Lazio — a mere 7 hectares — yet within it is a Roman amphitheatre carved from tufa, a rock-cut necropolis, a mithraeum converted into a Christian church, and a Renaissance villa. Established in 1988, it is situated right on the main road approaching the town.
The Amphitheatre Without Walls
The amphitheatre is the only one in the region carved entirely from a tufa bank, without supporting walls. It is like a single block sculpted from the rock. Analogies are found only in Cagliari and Leptis Magna. Dated between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD, it held up to 7,000 spectators on three tiers of seating. It remained buried until 1835, when the local population brought it to light. Today, it still hosts theatre, music and dance festivals.
A Necropolis of 64 Tombs
Along the tufa escarpment, there is a rock-cut necropolis with 64 tombs on multiple levels, and 180 metres of pathways. Chamber tombs, double-chamber tombs, arched entrances, used from the 1st century BC until the 3rd–4th century AD, for both inhumations and cremations.
From the Cult of Mithras to the Madonna del Parto
The mithraeum is perhaps the most surprising place. Starting out as a hypogeal shrine dedicated to the Persian god Mithras, in the early Christian period it was converted into a church: the entrance preserves frescoes depicting Archangel St Michael, the Virgin Mary and St Christopher. Between the 13th and 14th centuries it was consecrated to the Virgin, becoming the Church of Santa Maria del Parto (Our Lady of the Parturition).
