RT by @anapalacio: An Abandoned Etruscan Town :

Civita di Bagnoregio, a town in Province of Viterbo, Italy. It's only access is a footbridge from nearby town. Due to its unstable foundation that often erodes, Civita is famously known as ‘Dying City’.

Town was founded by Etruscans more than 2500 years ago. Formerly there were five city gates to access ancient town of Civita, nowadays instead, Porta Santa Maria (known as Porta Cava, as well) is main gateway of city. It is also possible to enter the town of Civita from badlands valley through a tunnel carved into rock. Layout of whole town is of Etruscan origin, based on a cardo and decumanus orthogonal street system according to Etruscan and Roman use, while entire architectural cladding is of medieval and Renaissance origin.

Numerous traces of Etruscan civilisation in Civita, especially in San Francesco Vecchio area: a little Etruscan necropolis was found in cliff located in area below Belvedere di San Francesco Vecchio. Cave of St Bonaventure is also an Etruscan chamber tomb. Etruscans made Civita, a flourishing city, thanks to its strategic position favourable for trade and thanks to its proximity to most important communication routes of times. Many traces of Etruscan period are still suggestive spots: so-called Bucaione, a deep tunnel which goes through lowest part of city and gives access to badlands valley directly from town.

In past, many chamber tombs were visible. They were dug at base of Civita’s cliff and nearby tuff walls and, over centuries, they were destroyed by several rockfalls. Indeed, Etruscans themselves had to face problems of seismic activity and instability, like earthquake of 280 BC. When Romans arrived in 265 BC, they took up and carried on rainwater drainage and stream containment works that were first started by Etruscans.

Civita (City) was birthplace of Saint Bonaventure, who died in 1274 AD.…

🐦🔗: https://nitter.cz/archeohistories/status/1713114198845329894#m

[2023-10-14 08:47 UTC]