Cerveteri

Cerveteri is a town and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, within the Metropolitan City of Rome. It lies about 40 kilometers northwest of Rome and is situated inland from the Tyrrhenian coast. The municipality is best known for the Banditaccia necropolis, one of the most extensive and well-preserved Etruscan burial grounds, located on the outskirts of the ancient city.

The area has a long history as an Etruscan center. The ancient city, known as Caere, was among the leading settlements of Etruria, and its wealth is reflected in the tombs and artifacts found there. The necropolis contains tombs dating from the 9th to the 2nd centuries BCE, including monumental beehive tombs and tumuli arranged along a grid that mirrored an urban plan. After the Roman conquest, the settlement declined but remained inhabited, evolving into a medieval town that grew around a fortress and religious buildings.

Cerveteri today preserves a historic center with narrow streets, churches, and historical architecture, alongside the archaeological landscape of the Banditaccia necropolis. The necropolis was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 as part of the Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia, recognized for its insights into Etruscan funerary practices and social organization. The modern economy combines agriculture, tourism, and local services, with the necropolis drawing visitors and researchers from around the world.