Carsulae Archaeological Site

Carsulae, an archaeological site in Umbria, Italy, offers a captivating journey into the past. Founded around the 3rd century BC and flourishing after the Via Flaminia's construction in 220-219 BC, Carsulae was a strategic Roman town. Today, visitors can explore the well-preserved ruins of this once-thriving municipium. The site includes the remains of the forum with the basilica and twin temples, a theater, and an amphitheater. The Via Flaminia, the city's main street, still shows sidewalks and gutters. The Arch of San Damiano marks the city's northern entrance, with funerary monuments nearby. A church, built in paleo-Christian times on Roman foundations, stands near the forum. The Visitor Center and Documentation “U. Ciotti” displays artifacts excavated between 1951 and 1972, including cippi carsulani (funerary markers), a Bacchus statue, and inscriptions. The center also provides information about the site and its history. Carsulae was abandoned by the 5th century AD, possibly due to an earthquake or the shifting of trade routes to the eastern branch of the Via Flaminia. The lack of defensive walls also made it vulnerable. Despite its abandonment, Carsulae offers a detailed look into Roman urban life, with ongoing archaeological efforts continually revealing more of its secrets.