Tuscania: Romanesque Basilicas and Etruscan Heritage in Lazio
Located in Viterbo, Italy, Tuscania boasts a rich Etruscan and medieval heritage. On February 6, 1971, the town experienced a devastating earthquake that led to the destruction of the municipal theater and impacted the basilicas of San Pietro and Santa Maria Maggiore. Despite the destruction, Tuscania has successfully rebuilt while preserving its unique character. The San Pietro basilica showcases a facade made of tufa and white marble adorned with Cosmatesque mosaics, along with a three-nave interior. It has served as a filming site for renowned directors such as Monicelli and Orson Welles. Meanwhile, Santa Maria Maggiore, previously a cathedral, houses a 13th-century baptismal font and a 14th-century Last Judgment fresco. The town center features Piazza del Comune, Palazzo Baronale, and the Museo Archeologico, which displays Etruscan sarcophagi. This article was penned by Nicoletta Rita Speltra for Artribune.
Key facts
- Tuscania is located in the Alto Lazio province of Viterbo, Italy, on a tufa plateau overlooking the Marta river valley.
- An earthquake on February 6, 1971, caused casualties and destroyed several historic buildings, including the newly restored municipal theater.
- The Romanesque basilicas of San Pietro and Santa Maria Maggiore were heavily damaged by the earthquake.
- San Pietro's facade is made of tufa and white marble, with a portal featuring Cosmatesque mosaics and zodiac figures.
- Santa Maria Maggiore houses an intact octagonal immersion baptismal font from the 13th century.
- The basilicas have been used as filming locations by directors including Monicelli, Orson Welles, Pasolini, Zeffirelli, Tarkovsky, and Liliana Cavani.
- The Fonte delle Sette Cannelle is a 3rd-century BC hydraulic work with seven stone-carved spouts.
- The Museo Archeologico displays Etruscan sarcophagi from the local necropolis.
Entities
Artists
- Monicelli
- Orson Welles
- Pasolini
- Zeffirelli
- Tarkovsky
- Liliana Cavani
- Nicoletta Rita Speltra
Institutions
- Artribune
- Museo Archeologico di Tuscania
- Duomo di San Giacomo Maggiore
Locations
- Tuscania
- Viterbo
- Lazio
- Italy
- Alto Lazio
- Marta river valley
- Via Clodia
- Via Francigena
- Torre di Lavello
- Palazzo dei Canonici
- Palazzo Baronale
- Fonte delle Sette Cannelle
- Piazza Bastianini
- Fontana Grande
- Piazza del Comune
- Convento di Santa Maria del Riposo