2. Introduction
A quick and visual tour proposal for Etruria between Lazio and Tuscany. Easily
accessible from Rome it is home of the Etruscan civilization (and equally rich in
Roman, Medieval and Reinassence heritage) may represent a 2/3 day break mixing
history/art, nature, food and...spas.
From Rome it’s a total of about 200 Km, depending on the route. The tour could be
extended to the more “classical” Tuscany (Siena, Sangimignano on to Florence), or
toward the coast.
Reaching the motorway will allow to return to Rome or go to Florence and beyond
in a couple of hours.
6. Tolfa
92 Km from Rome
39 Km from Cerveteri
Medieval village that grew significantly after 1453 when,
due the fall of Costantinopoli, the area became important
for its alum mines
7. Allumiere
The word "alumen" occurs in Pliny's Natural History.
Alum was imported mainly from the Middle East, and, when the fall of Costantinopolis
to the Turks cut the supply, rich mines were discovered in the region.
From the late 15th century onwards, the Papal States for hundreds of years supplied
alum to all of Europe
Its use there was as a dye-fixer (mordant) for wool.
In England, as imports from the Papal States were ceased following the
excommunication of Henry VIII attempts were made throughout the 16th century, but
without success until early on in the 17th century to create artificial alum.
An industry was founded in Yorkshire to process the shale which contained the key
ingredient, aluminium sulfate, together with human urine and made an important
contribution to the Industrial Revolution.
8. Allumiere
Museum in the center of town, hosted in Allumiere was on the Allies’ route from
the Camera Apostolica palace Rome to the north
A satellite village of Tolfa is Allumiere, named
after the alum mines, that grew around the
“industrial” installation for its extraction and
processing.
9. Tarquinia
131 Km from Rome
35 Km from Tolfa
Important Etruscan town that gave Rome early 3 kings.
Fought against Rome but was defeated.
In the early Middle Age a new town was built on a hill nearby, which was
eventually incorporated into the Papal State
13. Vetralla
166 Km from Rome
31 Km from Tarquinia
On the old Cassia Road, it was a stopping place on the
way to and from Rome. Along this route you JUST HAVE
to pass through it. No need to stop, really!
14. Tuscania
199 Km from Rome
22 Km from Vetralla
Etruscan town, followed developments similar to others in
the region, under Rome, free “city” , subject to the Papal
State