Archaeological Area of Vigna la Piazza

About this activity

The Archaeological Area of Vigna la Piazza is a must-see destination in the heart of Civita di Grotte di Castro. This fascinating Etruscan necropolis, dating back to the late 8th and early 7th centuries BCE, provides a unique glimpse into the funerary rituals of ancient Etruscan populations.
In Sector B of the necropolis, visitors can admire individual pit burials elegantly positioned within circles of dry stone. The deceased were laid supine, directly on the ground, although some burials include magnificent wooden sarcophagi, highlighting the significance of the site. Over time, the area underwent transformations: circles of squared tuff blocks, approximately 6 meters in diameter, were later added to enclose single burials within stone sarcophagi.
In Sector A, the chamber tombs date back to the mid-7th and 6th centuries BCE, further enriching the site’s complexity and beauty.
The necropolis of Vigna la Piazza is crucial to understanding Etruscan funerary practices. Before its discovery, Etruscan tombs were primarily known as chamber or chest-style graves carved into tuff walls. This necropolis, with its single pit burials surrounded by small tuff blocks, has opened new perspectives on the life and beliefs of the ancient Civita of Grotte di Castro.