The Etruscan Necropolis of Cerveteri--by Grace

After our breakfast at Casa La Salle, we braved the rain and headed to the bus stop to travel to Cerveteri. We walked toward our usual subway stop, Cornelia, and left on the subway toward the bus stop to find that we were actually supposed to be back at Cornelia! After finally getting on the elusive bus, we "rested our eyes," as Kelli would say, and we were on our way! Cerveteri is a small, hilltop town about 28 miles outside of Rome. It contains Etruscan ruins that predate Roman times and also acts as an incredible viewpoint. 

Once there, our group found a wonderful lunch of paninis and gelato in the small piazza in Cerveteri. It turns out, food is a lot less expensive outside of Rome!! After our lunch, we headed toward the museum of Etruscan artifacts. 

We saw many artifacts found in the Etruscan necropolis that is also in Cerveteri. A necropolis is where the dead are buried in miniature towns, which they will live in their afterlife. 

The tombs are also filled with everyday items that the dead would need in their afterlife. These artifacts ranged from jewelry to gas lamps and from pots to perfume bottles. All had intricate details, often colored with red and black, and many depicted Dionysus, the god of wine, which reflects the importance of wine in Etruscan culture.

After seeing the museum, our group walked to the necropolis, not expecting what was to come! The walk down from the town of Cerveteri proved to be the most picturesque view of the Italian countryside. 

It was luscious, green, and very rejuvenating! As we continued on our lovely walk, we all saw sheep, a group favorite. 

When we finally descended into the necropolis, it was unlike anything I had seen before. The tombs were unfenced and we explored at our leisure. The tombs often had two rooms with stairs descending into them. They were built into the hillside into rock. Often families would be buried together and in many tombs we were able to see the place where the dead were laid. Some tombs were particularly dark and creepy, making it quite easy to scare each other! 

After the first, unfenced part of the necropolis we continued into the contained part of the tombs. We were able to see other types of tombs, although they did begin to blend together after a while! The best part was able to explore where we liked and we even took some naps in the tombs- not really, but we were able to lay down! 

After exploring, we headed back to catch the bus to Rome. We walked back along the road into Cerveteri and had one last gelato break before reboarding the bus. 

Walking back to town (Photo: KVVP)

After a short week in Italy, I think we have all figured out that gelato breaks are a major key! We bade goodbye to the countryside and happily yet drowsily entered Rome once again. 

I now sit here writing the blog, while we all pack and rest before going out to get a carry out dinner, the same dinner on our first night of Rome! I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we are feeling nostalgic about leaving Rome but also incredibly excited for our adventures to come! 

Ciao Roma!