A
holiday which lets you explore ancient Rome and the Etruscan civilisation
which gave birth to the Roman Empire
Somewhere
around the 10th century BC, the Italian peninsula was settled
by a mysterious peoples called the Etruscans. We know very little
about them, even their origins are obscure, however archaeologists
suspect that they came from the eastern Mediterannean, possibly
Asia Minor. We don't really know what brought them to Italy, but
we do know that when they came, they brought civilization and
urbanization with them. They founded their civilizations in north-eastern
Italy between the Appenine mountain range and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Their civilization stretched from the Arno river in the north
to the Tiber river towards the center of the Italian peninsula;
it was on this Tiber river that a small village of Latins was
situated. This village was to become Rome, and the villagers,
the pioneers of the Roman empire.They would have been in close
contact with the Etruscans, their language, their ideas, their
religion, and their way of life. There is no doubt that
the Etruscans were the single most important influence on Roman
culture in its transition to civilization.
Much of
what we have come to know of Etruscan culture has stemmed from
the writings of other cultures, mainly that of the Greeks and
the Romans, and directly from archaeological evidence gathered
from the objects they left behind.The Etruscans left us no written
historical records. However, we can see samples of their writing
from the engravings on their tombs. The Etruscan writing system
is unique in that its letters come from the Greek alphabet, yet
its grammatical structure is unlike any other European language.
The epitaphs usually tell of the person's name, class, occupation,
and perhaps details of their families/relationships, so it is
possible to establish something of their lifestyles.
The very
best way to find out more about these mysterious and fascinating
peoples is to spend a little time exploring their ancient kingdom
of Etruria, and perhaps there is no better place to be based than
in a beautiful 4 star relais hotel in the historical centre of
Civita
Castellana, in the province of Viterbo in Lazio.
© Standard
room: Hotel Civita Castellana.
From here, you can explore the ancient Etruscan site of Tarquinia;
believed to have been founded in the 12th century BC,it was home
to the Tarquin kings, who ruled Rome before the Republic. The
necropolis here contains tombs richly decorated with frescoes,
and the medieval town features several churches and the National
Museum, full of Etruscan treasures, including a beautiful terracotta
frieze of winged horses taken from the Etruscan site.
Not
far away is Cerveteri,founded in the 8th century BC, and famous
today for the tombs known as tumoli, great mounds of earth with
carved stone bases. Just by here, too is a most marvellous restaurant
where you can enjoy lunch on a terrace surrounded by lemon and
olive groves - It is rural, uncommercialised and an amazing experience.
Veio
was once the largest city in southern Etruria, but today the only
remains from this period are portions of a swimming pool and the
lower section of a temple. From Civita Castellana, you can explore
Tuscany and the north of Lazio but just as easily spend some time
in Rome. A great way to explore two very great empires,
as well as see wonderful countryside, and enjoy great food and
wines.
The
hotel is situated just 50m from the Duomo dei Cosmati Cathedral
and 100m from the Sangallo fort. Built as a 17th century mansion,
it has been skilfully restored to highlight the refinement of
the architectural features and elegance of that age. The hotel
today is testimony to the savoir- faire and skill of hospitality
of that same age. Staying here, you will discover the
charm of this historic mansion and enjoy its magical l atmosphere.
The
hotel has a gym, sauna and jacuzzi, amazingly located in the 17th
century cellar. What a place to relax ! 
©
Duomo dei Cosmati Cathedral
Creativity
Travel can plan your holiday, with personal itinerary as well
as arranging
flights,
accommodation, car hire or other transport, as well as guides
and other services.
Please
do contact us for quotations, and to discuss your ideas for this
fascinating journey back in time and the chance to meet the Etruscans
on their own territory !
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