Tarquinia and the Etruscans

I have been traveling for at least the past six  decades, but cannot recall a more enjoyable, educational and impactful visit to anywhere, than that spent in Tarquinia, Italy yesterday.

At the entrance of a 2000 year old cave

I can't say specifically whether it was because the majority of visitors headed to the more popular destination of Rome, so we never had to deal with crowds or if it was the natural beauty, lushness, intriguing history, the warmth of our tour guides, the people, food or what exactly left me feeling so fascinated and happy, but it just all came together in Tarquinia.

Our guide Andrea.

                       He is from Tarquinia.

His wife Erna posing with us.

We later met their son Giovanni and dog Zorro.

Warm family.❤️.

Giovanni and Zorro 

Everything came together for me here. after disembarking at the port of Civitavecchia (aka Port of Rome). 

I am super happy that I opted to go to little known Tarquinia to learn about the Etruscans, who ruled that region from the to 3rd to 8 centuries BC, and did not follow the crowd to Rome.

 Been there a few times before anyway .

Everywhere is beautiful art. This painting is at the entrance of the port.

You know MSC, is not a particularly good cruise line as far as I am concerned but their choice of ports of call so far has been unique and enjoyable. (Check out my blogs on Tenerife, Marrakech and Valencia. Fantastic pictorial memories.)

Everywhere in Tarquinia is lush and green

Behind the green patch at the top overlooking the Mediterranean sea is where the Etruscans originally built their city.

Relaxing at lunch. L-r: Beatrice, Federica, Sonja, Giovanni, Erna, Joan.

But I am getting beyond myself😊.

We spent an educational morning learning the fascinating history of the Etruscans who as you know, ruled the area before they were wiped out and their culture virtually destroyed by the Romans.

However, much of that history is preserved in a 2000 year old cave which was only discovered in the 60's.

Above are replicas of the city found in the cave!

The Nazis adopted the second symbol above but to the Etruscans, it depicted the four seasons of the year.

Rich Etruscans had paintings outside their tomb area, depicting their likes and dislikes.

The bodies of deceased rich people were drained of all blood and some mummified.

Paintings from that era also imply that women had a an equal or dominant role in some sectors.
These drawings in the cave tell many stories.

 For example, the one below shows that the deceased/artist disliked homosexuality, as the bull in the picture advances menacingly towards a homosexual couple.😲.

The bull is not aggressive to this form of erotica though😁.

It's a threesome so, he just walks away.

As there are no leopards in Italy, this painting implies they had some association with Africa.

This painting indicates that the deceased was involved in sporting activities.

All types of everyday activities and religious practices are displayed in the cave underground.

UNESCO has however declared the original burial site of the Etruscans a cultural heritage site.

Above ground at the UNESCO site

Above ground is just as fascinating, as it highlights both Etruscans and Roman cultures.

Above is inside and outside of 14th century Catholic Church.

Rich Etcrustans displayed their wealth by the height of their homes resembling towers!

This cathedral was built in the 12th century. It burned down and was rebuilt in the 15th century.

You can see the Mediterranean Sea from some points in town.

People used to wash their clothes here 

The Vatican owns lots of property here. You know them by the Pope's emblem above the main door .

Things are so laid back in Tarquinia that products are just left out in the open unattended.

At this art studio above, we could see the artist sleeping inside while everything was left open. 

Michelle and Sonja could only pay for the things they liked when his wife drove in sometime later.

Even at the Mayor's office which was closed because it was Saturday, Eran was able to show us around as the keys were left hanging for whoever wished to enter!

Do you know the Umbrella Pine, so named because of the shape? I am not familiar with it but they say it common to the Mediterranean.

Random memories through pics.