Latest news with #Etruscans
Miami Herald
10-07-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
2,600-year-old tomb — untouched by looters — found at park in Italy. Peek inside
Not too far from Rome sits the rock necropolis of San Giuliano, a site promising a unique glimpse into the ancient culture that dominated Italy before the Romans. But accessing the site hasn't always been easy. Visitors had to trek into a ravine, navigate the overgrown forest and locate the ruins. Recently, while working to improve the site, archaeologists unearthed a 2,600-year-old tomb that sat unopened — until now. Heritage officials began a yearslong project to clean up the archaeological park in Barbarano Romano and restore some of its more than 500 tombs. The effort started in 2023 and is continuing this summer, the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Province of Viterbo and Southern Etruria said in a July 4 news release. As archaeologists were excavating a section of the park, they unearthed a stone entranceway built into a massive mound. The underground pit-like entryway had a door sealed with a rock slab, photos show. The team carefully removed the slab, lowering it to the ground to reveal a rectangular opening. Photos show this arduous yet delicate process. Peering inside, archaeologists realized they were looking into an Etruscan stone tomb dating back about 2,600 years, officials said. Unlike many of the park's other tombs, the newfound grave was untouched by looters. Officials also shared photos of the find in a June 27 Facebook post. Archaeologists did not enter the tomb but, from the doorway, could see a burial chamber, the department said. On the threshold sat several delicately painted pots and jars. A large pile of pottery was visible on the ground further inside, photos show. On either side of the doorway were funeral beds, one of which had several bronze ornaments sitting on it, officials said. Archaeologist Barbara Barbaro described the find as extremely rare and exceptional, offering deeper insights into Etruscan culture. The Etruscans were an ancient civilization located in modern-day Italy and reached their peak in the sixth century B.C. 'Many features of Etruscan culture were adopted by the Romans, their successors to power in the peninsula,' according to Britannica. The team is currently documenting the 2,600-year-old tomb and will eventually excavate it, the department said. Work is ongoing at the rock necropolis of San Giuliano. The site is in Barbarano Romano and about 30 miles northwest of Rome. Google Translate was used to translate the news release and Facebook post from the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Province of Viterbo and Southern Etruria.
Spectator
03-07-2025
- Health
- Spectator
A Spartan's guide to body shaming
Now that new drugs have allowed the government's Fat Controller to celebrate a nation of skinnies – let us hope the drugs are not too temptingly tasty – he will not have to adopt the Spartan custom of checking their naked young men every ten days for signs of excessive thinness or corpulence. In Greek eyes, obesity was particularly associated with luxury. On their tomb paintings, Etruscans tended to depict aristocrats at dinner as very fat and even more contented. Ptolemy Alexander, a Greek king of Egypt, needed two people to support him when he left the room to relieve himself. The vast Dionysius, tyrant of Heraclea (coast of north Turkey), was in danger of choking if he fell deeply asleep and had to be pricked awake with very fine needles long enough to locate the nerves under the rolls of flesh. Yet he lived to 55 and was tyrant for 33 years, 'excelling all in gentleness and decency'. The great 5th-century BC Greek doctor Hippocrates knew that sudden death was more common in the fat. Both he and Aristotle thought that obesity in women caused sterility (a disaster in ancient eyes, when half of all children born would be dead before their fifth birthday). But they were well aware that losing weight could cause problems. Slimming, however, was not associated with female desirability. Anorexia was unknown. One recommendation was to 'exercise on an empty stomach and eat when out of breath… and take only one meal a day, go without baths, sleep on hard beds and wear as little clothing as possible. The people who want to get fat should do exactly the opposite'. The Roman doctor Celsus, taking walking for granted, recommended thin men put on weight through rest, constipation and big meals, and the fat take it off through late nights, worry and violent exercise. Others recommended that men should walk quickly in winter, more slowly in summer, and that fleshy people should walk faster, thin people more slowly. All that now remains is for the BBC to celebrate the new drugs with a suitably humiliating Come Slimming gameshow, hosted by all those hysterical chef-comedians.
Daily Mirror
02-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Dying city' in the hills of Italy crumbling as tourists flock to historic town
Civita di Bagnoregio, in the Alta Tuscia region of central Italy, is slowly disappearing as the tuff hill it was built on crumbles - but tourists are still flocking in their droves A quaint town tucked away in the Lazio hills, less than two hours from Rome, is experiencing a tourist boom as visitors flock to see it before it's too late. Civita di Bagnoregio, situated in central Italy's Alta Tuscia region, perches atop a fragile tuff hill that's gradually eroding. Dubbed "the dying city" since the 1960s, recent studies in 2020 revealed that the hill shrinks by an average of seven centimetres annually. Researchers have calculated that the land surrounding Civita has diminished by 20 to 25% over the last half-millennium – a decline that's expected to persist. Boasting a rich history that dates back around 2,500 years, Civita di Bagnoregio was established by the Etruscans, reports the Express. The city once lay on a crucial route linking the Tiber River to Lake Bolsena, serving as a key communication pathway. The Etruscans, cognisant of the area's seismic volatility, undertook measures to safeguard it from earthquakes by constructing dams and drainage systems for effective rainwater management. Following the Etruscans, the Romans continued these protective efforts, but subsequent neglect led to rapid deterioration and eventual desertion. Compounding the issue, the tuff hill beneath Civita is continuously worn away by the erosive forces of two rivers in the valley below, along with the relentless wear of rain and wind. Civita di Bagnoregio is undeniably one of Italy's most picturesque and distinctive towns, appearing to float in mid-air on foggy days. Currently, the ancient village is home to around ten steadfast residents, their deep love for their homeland keeping them rooted there. Thanks to these individuals, Civita retains its predominantly medieval characteristics, enchanting the numerous tourists who visit each year. Access to the village is provided by a towering 300m concrete bridge, constructed in 1965, which links Civita to the nearby town of Bagnoregio. At the end of this bridge, the Porta di Santa Maria opens onto the quaint alleyways that define Civita. The streets are adorned with the Renaissance palaces of the Colesanti, Bocca and Alemanni families, alongside typical low houses featuring small balconies and external stairs characteristic of medieval architecture. There's certainly no shortage of sights to see and activities to enjoy in Civita. Highlights include the compact Antica Civitas Museum, housed within a residential building, and the cave of San Bonaventura. This ancient chamber tomb, carved into the tuff wall, is named after Friar Bonaventura da Bagnoregio (1217-1274), the biographer of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Telegraph
This fun-loving Italian city remains untouched by mass tourism
'It's like a time machine,' says my new friend Fabrizio Croce, as he leads me down a long twilit tunnel within Perugia's ancient city walls. As darkness closes in around us, I soon see what he means. We board an escalator that carries us up and up, from the archaic foundations at the foot of this steep hill to the bustling citadel at the summit. We step out into the sunshine, and I realise we've traversed 3,000 years. We're standing in the Piazza Italia, surrounded by a sea of people. Some of them are here to eat and drink, in the sleek bars and cafés that surround this sunlit square, but most are simply drinking in the view. And what a view. Below us, lush countryside stretches far away into the heat haze on the horizon. Welcome to Umbria, aka the green heart of Italy. And welcome to Perugia, its underrated, relatively undiscovered capital. Like a lot of British travellers, I'd been to Tuscany several times before I even thought of visiting Umbria, its less fashionable and landlocked neighbour. More fool me. The gentle Umbrian countryside is just as beautiful as Tuscany, and since Umbria attracts fewer visitors, its landmarks are less crowded, and its hotels and restaurants tend to be better value. Umbria's main attraction is Assisi, the sacred homeland of St Francis, and it was St Francis who first lured me here a few years ago. Like many visitors to Umbria, I flew into Perugia's compact airport and then headed straight on to Assisi, about 10 miles away, without delay. When I told my Italian friends about my trip, they said I'd missed a treat. Unlike Assisi, Perugia isn't overrun with sightseers, they said. It's just as historic but a lot livelier, they said. I duly put Perugia on my Italian bucket list, and then promptly forgot all about it. With no must-see sights, it's the sort of holiday destination you tend to put off for another day. Last month, that day finally arrived – and it turns out my Italian friends were right. Perugia has all the essential elements of a classic city break: fascinating art and architecture, fantastic food and drink. Why had I never got around to coming here before? Perugia is such a pleasant spot, it's easy to forget it owes its spectacular location to its warlike past. The battlements that surround the Old Town are enormous, started by the Etruscans, completed by the Romans, augmented during the Renaissance and reinforced in every successive century. You can trace each period of Perugia's long history in these robust walls. Chatting to Fabrizio, a suave and amiable middle-aged man who works for the Comune di Perugia (Perugia's city council), I'm relieved to hear I'm not the only Briton who's previously bypassed this handsome city. Sure, Assisi is wonderful, famous for its holy sites and precious frescos, but it's rooted in the past. Despite its antique architecture, Perugia is young at heart. The thing that gives Perugia its youthful buzz is its thriving university. Founded way back in 1308, it's one of the oldest universities in the world (only Oxford, Cambridge and half a dozen others are older). It boasts around 26,000 students, most of whom seem to be milling around the Piazza Italia when I arrive. There's also a smaller second university, solely for foreign students, which gives Perugia a cosmopolitan flavour that belies its modest population – barely 160,000, about the same size as Mansfield. Fabrizio was a student here, half a lifetime ago. Like a lot of people who come here to study, he never left. He was born and raised in Naples, but you can tell his heart is here. He's passionate about Perugia and his enthusiasm is infectious. Although he works for Perugia's city council, he's not a typical bureaucrat – he's spent most of his working life as a musician and music promoter. Stylish and slightly grungy, he personifies Perugia's laid-back, vaguely anarchic ambience. Perugia's mayor, Vittoria Ferdinandi, only 38, also has a background outside politics. As Fabrizio walks me round town, we bump into her, quite by chance. Perugia is that sort of place. Fabrizio's office is in the Palazzo dei Priori – an ornate, intimidating building in the heart of the Old Town (in the olden days, criminals were hurled to their deaths from its upper windows, into the street below). It has been the seat of the city council since it was built, in the 14th century. On the top floor is the Galeria Nazionale dell'Umbria ( Umbria's most important art gallery. Its Renaissance artworks are the big draw, above all the intimate religious paintings of Pietro Vannucci, aka Perugino (like a lot of Italian artists, he was nicknamed after his hometown). A pupil of Piero della Francesca and a teacher of Raphael, his tender pictures are still fresh and vivid, over 500 years after he painted them. Seeing them in a palazzo he would have visited really brings them back to life. Perugia's broad piazzas are impressive, but its narrow backstreets are more alluring. Here you'll find the best streetlife – winding lanes lined with dank boltholes where locals sip their potent, fierce espressos and swig big goblets of Torgiano and Montefalco, the smooth, seductive local wine. By day, exploring this labyrinth of blind alleys is exhilarating. After dark, it seems more sinister. For all its flair and bonhomie, this feels like a city with a hard edge. As I follow these dingy rat-runs down the hillside, I feel like a detective in a spooky thriller, lost in a maze of dead-ends and cryptic clues. 'Drinking cocktails saves the planet,' reads the graffiti on an alley wall. Thankfully, during my three days in Perugia, these creepy sensations were only fleeting. When the sun shines, Umbria's capital seems like a happy, hopeful place – somewhere I'm eager to revisit. As I head for the airport, already planning my return trip, I recall how Fabrizio's eyes lit up when he told me about the visit of Miles Davis to Perugia's famous jazz festival ( held here every summer. Herbie Hancock and Lionel Richie are the big names this year. Maybe I'll see you there. How to get there Ryanair flies direct to Perugia from London Stansted. Where to stay Built in 1884, in a prime site on the elegant Piazza Italia, the five-star Sina Brufani is the grande dame of Umbrian hotels. Highlights include dramatic views from the rooftop terrace, and a swimming pool in the medieval vaults, built upon Etruscan foundations. Doubles from €252 per night, including breakfast – very good value for such a smart hotel. Where to eat and drink It's hard to go wrong eating out in Perugia. Here, even the most basic places serve first-rate food and drink. For superb coffee and scrumptious cakes and chocolates, head for Sandri, a debonair pasticceria founded in 1860. It's on Corso Vannucci, Perugia's grandest boulevard. The best sit-down meal I ate was at La Taverna, a traditional Italian restaurant hidden down a back alley, which breathes fresh life into familiar staples, supplemented by some superb local wines.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Yahoo
How to plan a multi-generational vacation to Maremma in Tuscany
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Southern Tuscany offers a quieter, more authentic escape to big-hitters such as Lucca and Siena, with a landscape defined by rolling vineyards, medieval hilltop towns and an unspoilt coastline. The Maremma region is an ideal base for multi-generational stays, and yet it's still easily accessible from Florence to the north and Rome to the south in about two hours by car. Whether you seek luxury, adventure or relaxation, this pocket of Southern Tuscany delivers an unforgettable experience for all generations. The highlight of any trip, these naturally occurring hot springs were regarded as a gift from the gods by the Romans and Etruscans. They can be enjoyed for free at the Cascate del Mulino. Arrive at dawn to see the sun rise while bathing in the mineral-rich, 37.5C sulphurous springs; bring shoes as the pools' mineral deposits can be sharp on the feet. Families with teens might want to trade up for the luxury experience at the Terme di Saturnia Resort, which has sunloungers by the water and spa treatments. Plan for a day at this free beach, one of two strips of sand connecting the Argentario peninsula to the mainland. It's part of the eastern lagoon within the protected area that bears the same name: the Duna Feniglia Nature Reserve. A forest of centuries-old maritime pines runs along the beach for four miles, with restaurants and beach bars dotted along the coastline. Head to the centre of the beach for the softest sand and clearest water. Step into a real-life Indiana Jones adventure at the Etruscan tombs in the city of Tarquinia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, in the Necropoli dei Monterozzi, history unfolds in a series of underground chambers with well-preserved 2,500-year-old frescoes. Vivid paintings of banquets, musicians, dancers and mythical creatures offer a rare glimpse into the ancient world. A compact site, it's easy to navigate and an immersive experience for families. Southern Tuscany's prestigious hilltop winemaking towns of Montalcino and Montepulciano are just inland from Maremma. While vineyard tours might not work for families, some villa agencies can organise private, in-villa group tasting sessions with Tuscan winemakers. The adults get to learn about the viticulture traditions of local family-run and organic farms, while kids can come and go as they please, dipping into wine-pairing snacks. Published in the May 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
