The little-known town of Chiusi in the Siena province of Tuscany is a bit of a hidden gem that offers stunning scenery, pretty buildings and a rich history. If you have found a vacation rental in Chiusi and are looking for a unique day out that is a little bit off the beaten track, it really is a perfect destination.
Between the 7th and 5th centuries BC, the area was one of the most important towns in the Etruscan Dodecapolis (league of twelve cities) and was where one of their most powerful kings called Porsenna is said to have been buried in an elaborate tomb within a complex labyrinth in an Etruscan burial site. In his Naturalis Historia, Pliny the Elder tells that the legendary Etruscan king Porsenna was buried in a majestic tomb inside an unfathomable labyrinth, with his sarcophagus laid to rest in a golden carriage that was guarded by golden statues of twelve horses, a brood hen and five thousand chicks, all also made of gold.
Between the 7th and 5th centuries BC, the area was one of the most important towns in the Etruscan Dodecapolis (league of twelve cities) and was where one of their most powerful kings called Porsenna is said to have been buried in an elaborate tomb within a complex labyrinth in an Etruscan burial site. In his Naturalis Historia, Pliny the Elder tells that the legendary Etruscan king Porsenna was buried in a majestic tomb inside an unfathomable labyrinth, with his sarcophagus laid to rest in a golden carriage that was guarded by golden statues of twelve horses, a brood hen and five thousand chicks, all also made of gold.
For a long time, it was thought and tradition stated that Porsenna’s burial place was this network of galleries underneath Chiusi.
However, these passages were actually are an Etruscan aqueduct, consisting of chambers and pathways of different sizes, laid out on different levels, where the water, after filtering through the rocks, was collected in large basins and drawn from wells. This incredible ancient aqueduct system is said to even date as far back as 600BC.
Today the tunnels can be visited, from the Cathedral Museum which is the start of a path. The route starts from the museum in the Piazza del Duomo, and finishes up in a large round Etruscan-Roman reservoir from the 1st century BC with a double barrel vault held up by a central column.
However, these passages were actually are an Etruscan aqueduct, consisting of chambers and pathways of different sizes, laid out on different levels, where the water, after filtering through the rocks, was collected in large basins and drawn from wells. This incredible ancient aqueduct system is said to even date as far back as 600BC.
Today the tunnels can be visited, from the Cathedral Museum which is the start of a path. The route starts from the museum in the Piazza del Duomo, and finishes up in a large round Etruscan-Roman reservoir from the 1st century BC with a double barrel vault held up by a central column.
From the tank you go up a small spiral staircase to the base of a defensive tower that was built in the 12th century and was converted into a bell tower when a bell was added at the end of the 16th century. Entry to the museum costs just €4 and covers a tour of the tunnels below as well.
For a great view of this beautiful Tuscan city above and underground, this one attraction is the perfect destination and a fascinating place to play around for an afternoon. If you are in the Siena area or looking for lesser-known attractions in Tuscany, add this quirky sight to your list.
For a great view of this beautiful Tuscan city above and underground, this one attraction is the perfect destination and a fascinating place to play around for an afternoon. If you are in the Siena area or looking for lesser-known attractions in Tuscany, add this quirky sight to your list.
Photo credits
picture 1: Marco Daniele / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Angela Stefanoni / CC BY 3.0;
picture 3: Prof.Quatermass / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 1: Marco Daniele / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Angela Stefanoni / CC BY 3.0;
picture 3: Prof.Quatermass / CC BY-SA 3.0;
