Castello dell’Abbadia - Museo Archeologico di Vulci: A Journey Through Etruscan History

The Castello dell’Abbadia, located near Canino in the province of Viterbo, is home to the Museo Archeologico di Vulci. The museum offers a captivating glimpse into the Etruscan and Roman history of the ancient city of Vulci. The castle itself, perched high above the Fiora River, is a sight to behold, with origins dating back to the 9th century when it was a fortified Benedictine abbey. Over the centuries, the Castello dell’Abbadia has been modified and transformed into a fortified castle. It was a point of contention between powerful families and entities. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Farnese family expanded the structure. For a time, it served as a customs house for the Papal States. The castle eventually became state property in the 1960s and was designated as the home of the Museo Archeologico di Vulci. The museum opened to the public in 1975. The museum's collection includes artifacts discovered during excavations of Vulci's necropolises and urban areas from the Iron Age to the Roman era. The displays are arranged chronologically across two floors of the castle. Visitors can see a wide variety of Etruscan ceramics and learn about the trade and production of this important Etruscan center.