🌿 Acquarossa: Nature and Etruscan History Just Outside Viterbo

The Procoio Forest and the Sacred Spring

A few kilometers north of Viterbo lies a place where nature and ancient history intertwine in silence: Acquarossa, one of the most important Etruscan archaeological sites in the area, nestled within a landscape of woods, springs, and timeless beauty.

🏛️ An Etruscan City Lost in Time

Discovered in the mid-20th century, the site of Acquarossa revealed the remains of an Etruscan settlement from the 7th–6th century BC, complete with houses, public buildings, and a vast necropolis.The city, mysteriously abandoned around 500 BC, offered archaeologists unique insights into pre-Roman urban planning.

📍 Where: just 6 km from Viterbo, near the village of San Giuliano🔎 What to see:

• Foundations of Etruscan houses

• Roof decorations and terracotta ornaments (originals are preserved at the National Etruscan Museum of Viterbo)

• Panoramic views over untouched valleys

🌳 The Procoio Forest: A Sanctuary of Nature

Surrounding the archaeological area is the Bosco di Procoio, a protected forest of oak, hornbeam, and Mediterranean scrub.Ideal for light trekking, photography, and meditation, this forest is a haven for local wildlife and a place where the rhythm of nature can still be heard.

🦉 Expect to see: foxes, badgers, wild boar, hawks, and countless birds🧘 Perfect for: slow walkers, families, nature lovers

💧 The Spring of Acquarossa

Not far from the ruins, hidden among trees and reeds, flows a natural spring once believed to be sacred to the Etruscans.Its waters, rich in minerals, were likely used in ritual purification ceremonies and as a daily resource for the ancient inhabitants.

📖 Local legend: They say the water brings clarity — of thought, of heart, of path.Bring a bottle and let yourself be part of a tradition over 2,500 years old.

🗺️ How to Get There from Viterbo🚗 By car: take the SP2 towards Grotte Santo Stefano; signs for Acquarossa are found near San Giuliano. Approx. 15-minute drive.🥾 On foot or bike: accessible via marked trails from the outskirts of Viterbo — perfect for a half-day nature and culture hike.

🌟 Why Visit Acquarossa?

• To walk where the Etruscans once lived, prayed, and built

• To breathe nature untouched by tourism

• To discover a hidden treasure of Tuscia, ideal for slow travelers and seekers of silent wonder

📸 Viterbolandia Tip:Bring a notebook or sketchbook — Acquarossa is the kind of place where inspiration flows like its ancient spring.