The Arcane Ways of Etruria

These ancient Etruscan roads are the archaeological treasures that separate

Castell’Azzara
from the rest of the Maremma.These ancient Etruscan roads are the archaeological treasures that separate Castell’Azzara from the rest of the Maremma.

In prehistoric times, these roads led to nearby mines, where archaeologists believe the Etruscans dug to extract cinnabar (red mercury).

The roads remained hidden until 1963, when archaeologists came across them and a cave known as the
Buca delle Nottole
, which housed a dark slurry and other rough clay fragments from Etruscan times.

Other discoveries have also been found in the area, including graves for the poor, and archaeologists have recently unearthed numerous mining tools in the ancient mines.

Visitors can walk the Routes of Etruria around Castell’Azzara. The roads are hidden by a lot of undergrowth and are not exactly marked, but if you drop by the tourist information center at the nearby
Santa Fiora
should tell you where to go.