Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
Museo Civico Archeologico 'Isidoro Falchi'
(
museovetulonia@libero.it
;
Piazza Vatluna; adult/child €4.50/2.50; 10am-1pm & 4-9pm Tue-Sun Jun-
Sep, 10am-1pm & 2-5pm Tue-Sun Mar-May)
Vetulonia's main piazza boasts spectacular views
over the surrounding countryside, and is home to this small but extremely impressive mu-
seum bringing Etruscan history to life through its rich display of artefacts excavated from
local Etruscan tombs and settlements. Highlights include the furnishings of the tomb of
the
Fibula d'Oro
(Golden Brooch), including the precious brooch itself.
MUSEUM
ETRUSCAN EXCAVATIONS
Since 2009 a small team of archaeologists has been excavating the foundations of a 2300-year-old
Etruscan
domus
(house) at the
Scavi di Città
( 10.10am-6.50pm Mon, Wed & Fri-Sun summer,
8.30am-4.50pm Mon, Wed & Fri-Sat winter) located on the main road just below Vetulonia.
Led by Dr Simona Rafanelli, the team has uncovered dry-stone walls, a brick floor, a small terracotta
altar, plenty of amphorae and a small fragment of wall fresco. Dr Rafanelli claims that this is the most
intact villa from the Etruscan-Roman era in existence and believes that there are other houses, shops
and temples still to be discovered here.
Earlier excavations in the area include two (sadly empty) Etruscan tombs, situated a couple of kilo-
metres further downhill and along a turn-off to the right.
Sleeping
Montebelli Agriturismo & Country Hotel
( 05 6688 7100;
www.montebelli.com
;
Località Molinetto Caldana; economy agriturismo r €68-145,
standard agriturismo r €84-185, deluxe country hotel r €110-225; closed Jan-end Mar; )
A
country-club feel prevails on this sprawling biodynamic wine and olive-oil estate 10km
north of Vetulonia. The facilities are sensational - tennis court, two swimming pools (one
indoor, one outdoor), horse- riding lessons, restaurant (five-course dinner adult/child €30/
15) and sleek health centre. Choose between cheaper (but more atmospheric) rooms in the
agriturismo
or deluxe air-con rooms in the modern 'country hotel'.
AGRITURISMO
€€
Pieve di Caminino
AGRITURISMO
€€
