Museo Archeologico all'aperto "Alberto Manzi" (Città dei vivi e Città dei morti)

The Alberto Manzi open-air archaeological museum in Pitigliano interprets the plateau's Bronze Age and Etruscan heritage. It brings together a reconstructed prehistoric dwelling, a carved road and tombs from the Gradone and San Giovanni necropolises.

Why it matters

The site was developed under mayor Alberto Manzi in response to damage and clandestine excavation in the area's necropolises. Opened in 2004, it was conceived to combine archaeological interpretation with protection of local heritage. Together with the Sovana archaeological park, it helps explain the funerary landscape of the Pitigliano territory.

What to notice

A near life-size model presents a circular hut of the Final Bronze Age, alongside plans and sections of Etruscan houses. A carved via cava descends through tuff toward the Gradone necropolis, whose chamber tombs were used from the second half of the seventh to the third quarter of the sixth century BC. Finds include incised impasto vessels and Greek black-figure cups. The tomb of Velthur and Larthia contains a reconstruction inspired by the staged Etruscan chamber prepared by the Campanari brothers in London in 1837. The San Giovanni necropolis includes tombs from the sixth to early third century BC, among them a monumental tomb with two pillars.

Context and history

Manzi developed the project during his term as mayor from 1995 to 1997, responding to deterioration and clandestine digging in the necropolises. The park opened on 3 July 2004 with educational, conservation and research aims. Finds from its excavations are preserved in the civic archaeological museum at the Orsini fortress. The park's reconstructed dwelling, carved road and furnished tombs interpret the relationship between settlement and burial practices in the Etruscan landscape.