Italy Guide
Lazio
Cerveteri
Cerveteri dates back to the tenth century BC. Once known as Caere, it ranked among the top three cities of the Etruscans, a sophisticated pre-Roman people swathed in mystery. Today it provides the most accessible taster of their architecture and practises. The town's wealth derived largely from the mineral-rich Tolfa hills to the northeast – a gentle range that gives the plain a much-needed touch of scenic colour. In its heyday, the town spread over 150 hectares (something like thirty times its present size), controlling territory 50km up the coast. By the third century BC, Caere was under Roman control, leading to the decline of Etruscan culture in the region.
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