Before the Romans: the largest Etruscan temple on Earth in Tarquinia｜Italy

Pian di Civita, our destination, is the vast area among rolling scenic hills where the ancient Etruscan city of Tarchna is located, now a picturesque paradise far from any technological or urban contamination. Pian di Civita still holds many mysteries, and every year researchers and archaeologists are engaged in excavation campaigns that yield surprising new important finds that help reveal more about the mysterious Etruscan Civilization.
Upon reaching the Pianoro, we will follow the network of ancient dirt roads that will lead us to the Ara della Regina, the largest Etruscan temple ever found, dating back to the 4th century B.C., where the winged horses, the symbol of Tarquinia, were found, and Porta Romanelli, an urban residential area that is one of the most important intact Etruscan residential centers with a complete section of the surrounding walls.
The 18-km trek presents no technical difficulties; it follows a route on dirt roads and slight grassy stretches, so all that is required is to wear hiking shoes and have adequate training for walking in the hills. The route is also very fascinating from a naturalistic and scenic point of view, because it is characterized by the massive and extensive presence of some native plants such as the ferula, where the ferlengo mushroom grows. This is a delicacy and a key ingredient in Tarquinian cuisine, especially for the typical dish of homemade fettuccine offered in the restaurants of Tarquinia upon returning from the trekking.
The Pian di Civita Trekking Tour includes several stops for refreshments and to enjoy the views that extend to the sea to the south and to the Cimini Mountains to the north, which are excellent landscape photo opportunities.
You will be the protagonists of an immersive experience of walking in an ancient world, full of nuanced colors that are lost at a glance, in the silence of an uninhabited and authentic territory that has remained unchanged over the centuries.
The route is a loop, so it begins and ends at the parking area near Pian di Civita, which is reached by van provided by the organizers. You only need to be equipped with a backpack containing a water supply of at least 1.5 liters, snacks and a packed lunch, a windbreaker for the uncertain weather, and technical, layered clothing appropriate for the season. Hiking or trekking shoes are recommended.