Parco Archeologico di Poggio Civitella

Poggio Civitella is an Etruscan fortified hilltop about three kilometres southwest of Montalcino. At 670 metres above sea level, the site preserves three rings of walls and evidence of occupation beginning in the sixth century BC.

Why it matters

The hilltop stronghold is a major archaeological site in the Montalcino area. Its elevated position and wide views across the region help explain its role as a fortified settlement.

What to notice

The excavated remains include three rings of walls, dated between the sixth and first centuries BC. Finds from the site and nearby burials—including vessels and evidence of metalworking—are presented in the archaeological section of the Montalcino museum.

Context and history

Archaeologist Ranuccio Bianchi Bandinelli identified the site in the 1920s while compiling an archaeological map of Italy. Later excavations, assisted by local volunteers, uncovered dwellings and objects that document life at the fortified settlement.