Tuscania

Tuscania is a wonderful town is the province of Viterbo, located on the promontory of a tufaceus cliff, making it extremely unique and characteristic.

Situated in the splendid territory of Alta Tuscia, it is seen as an absolutely lovely and fascinating centre, embellished by the presence of the Marta River and enchanting valleys.

The landscape that the town offers to its visitors is simply captivating, with rolling hills, green plains and grand vineyards producing wines of the highest quality.

The town itself is a true jewel of architecture and ancient constructions and provides visitors with the opportunity to appreciate its uniqueness and its profoundly interesting and ancient history.

Many legends surround the foundations of the city, with the most famous being derived from Roman mythology and suggests that Tuscania was formed by Ascanio, son of Enea (who was himself the son of the mortal Anchise and Aphrodite or Venus) on the location where he found twelve pups, in Latin: Tus-Cana.

These legends help to give the already beautiful town of  Tuscania an almost magical and mysterious aura, that never fails to amaze all who visit it.

Not to miss:

The Basilica of St. Maria Maggiore: the oldest religious building in the town, it construction dates back to the 6th century; as indicated by documents of the era. On one side you can find a bell tower completely reconstructed in the 1200’s, in the Romanesque style.

Church of St. Marco: one of the older building in Tuscania, it is decorated with amazing frescoes and paintings, including two which depict “L’Annuciazione” (The Annunciation) and “La Madonna con il Bambino ed un Santo Vescovo” (Madonna with the Baby and a Saint Bishop).

Cathedral of St Giacomo: a Renaissance construction, it is custodian of works of art and paintings that are of great artistic importance, including a marble tabernacle dating back to the 1400’s.

Church of St. Maria della Rosa: built on the ruins of an older religious building, this church demonstrates the Romanesque- gothic style and is characteristic for the interesting architectonic elements on its frontage, including a median surmounted by a rose, capitals and columns. Inside you can also find three naves and some very interesting works of art.

Church of St. Francesco: an ancient religious construction, of which today there remains only ruins.

Church of St. Silvestro: a sacred building built in the first decade of the 1300’s and largely reconstructed in the 17th century. Inside it is custodian of the wonderful fresco  “L’Albero della Vita” (Tree of Life), painted in the 14th century.

Church of St Maria del Riposo and the Convent of St. Francesco: the Church is a clear example of Benedictine art and carries the modifications it underwent during the 1400’s as well as some wonderful frescoes and paintings. The convent on the other hand, is today, the location of a very important museum.

Palazzo Comunale: dating back to the 1600’s, it is home to some fascinating and beautiful frescoes. The building also presents some 19th century architectonic elements, resulting from the modifications and renovations carried out in that era.

Renaissance Palazzi Maccabei, Campanari, Fani- Ciotti and Spagnoli: all of which were almost completely reconstructed during the 1970’s, following an earthquake.

Le Necropoli della Madonna dell’Olivo (The Necropolises of the Madonna dell’Olivo): here lies the celebrated tombs of the “Regina e del Sarcofago” (Queen and the Sarcophagus) of Pian di Mola, Cacarello; which was found in the 1800’s.

The National Archaeological Museum: located in the ex-convent of St. Francesco, it is an exhibition of archaeological ruins, ancient objects, utensils and funeral urns that have been found in the archaeological sites of Tuscania. The centre is spread across four rooms, in which you can admire sarcophaguses and statues that retell the story of the Etruscan population in this area.

History:

The history of Tuscania is very old and began sometime during the period of the Etruscans, as indicated by the numerous necropolises found in the countryside. During subsequent centuries the town became a possession of the Roman Empire until the 5th century when it  fell to the Church.

From the 12th century the town was ruled by the local noble families, the Dukedom of Castro and the Papal States, before becoming part of the Kingdom of Italy in the second half of the 1800’s.