Civita Museum

About this activity

The Civita Museum of Grotte di Castro, housed in the magnificent Renaissance palace designed by Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola in the second half of the 16th century, is a place where history, archaeology, and landscape intertwine in an engaging and immersive experience. Using modern museographic techniques, visitors are taken on a fascinating journey back in time to explore the Etruscan civilization and its presence in this region.
Spread across two floors, the museum offers a unique exhibition experience: videos, giant images, life-sized reconstructions of Etruscan tombs, and a monolithic tuff sarcophagus transport visitors into the ancient Etruscan world. The sensory and interactive itinerary allows exploration not only of the Etruscans’ daily lives but also their relationship with nature and the surrounding landscape.

Ground Floor: The World of the Afterlife

The ground floor introduces visitors to the Etruscan necropolises of Vigna la Piazza, Pianezze, and Centocamere, with a focus on funerary rituals. Through a life-sized reproduction of a chamber tomb and the display of an authentic tuff sarcophagus, visitors can closely observe the significance attributed to the journey to the afterlife.

First Floor: Daily Life

On the first floor, the exhibition focuses on the customs and traditions of the Etruscan people. The room “Symbols of Power” narrates the splendor and luxury of the aristocratic elites through extraordinary artifacts such as the grave goods from Tomb 31 and the Tomb of the Child from Vigna la Piazza. Additionally, it delves into the role of the settlement of Civita, strategically located between Lake Bolsena and the Fiora Valley, which held significant importance between the 7th and 6th centuries BCE.

A Museum at the Heart of the Lake Bolsena Museum Network

The Civita Museum is not just a cultural venue but a key hub for the museum network encompassing various towns around Lake Bolsena, such as Bolsena, Acquapendente, Montefiascone, and Bagnoregio. Thanks to this synergy, the museum provides a comprehensive view of the area’s history and archaeology.

Useful Information

Opening Hours

• Summer Hours (April-September): Wednesday-Sunday, 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM / 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).
• Winter Hours (October-March): Friday 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM, Saturday 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM / 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Sunday 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM (closed Monday-Thursday, December 25, January 1, and January 6).

Special Visits: Extraordinary openings for groups available by reservation.

Also Visit the Necropolises

With the same museum ticket, you can visit the necropolises of Pianezze and Centocamere, delving even deeper into the millennia-old history of this region. Discover the Civita Museum: an experience that intertwines past and present, allowing you to reconnect with the deep roots of our culture.