Norchia is a wonderful Etruscan cliff-type necropolis, and its wild and romantic natural surroundings make it one of the most fascinating places in southern Etruria. Norchia’s dado-type tombs are a perfect example of symbiosis between architecture and natural environment. Built in the 4th century BC, Norchia was quite a prosperous small town until the Roman conquest, which took place in the 3rd centuries BC. Norchia’s rock-cut tombs are dated from the 4rd -2nd centuries BC, and the most interesting ones are concentrated in the Pile area. In the Acqualta necropolis, instead, there are some other wonderful monumental tombs with a beautiful Doric pediment (Tombe Doriche, 3rd century BC). 

Other tombs are located on the right side of the little river Biedano (Tomba Lattanzi). You can also take a walk as far as the Cava Buia, a suggestive rock-cut passageway built by the Etruscan. This 400 m – long road, only 2 m. wide, was followed by carts carrying any sort of goods to and from the Etruscan town. Today, on top of the hill where the Etruscan town was you can see the ruins of a medieval castle and the remains of St. Peter’s church (12th century). The medieval settlement was destroyed in the first half of the fifteenth century.

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