Area archeologica del Sodo
Archaeological park at the foot of Cortona with two large Etruscan burial mounds of the Archaic period, known as “meloni”, run by the MAEC.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
On the plain below Cortona, in the locality of Sodo on the edge of Camucia, there are three large Etruscan burial mounds, which the inhabitants call “meloni” (melons) because of their rounded hill shape. The Sodo archaeological area comprises the first two and forms part of the Cortona archaeological park, run by the MAEC, the Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca e della Città di Cortona.
Mound I, the oldest, dates to the 7th century BC and measures about 50 metres in diameter; inside it there is a chamber tomb with tholos vaults, discovered in 1909. Mound II, state-owned, has a diameter of 64 metres and contains two dromos tombs and a large altar platform for funerary rites. Tomb 1, datable to around 580 BC, is the largest; Tomb 2 is the intact sepulchre of the Velara family.
The two funerary monuments celebrated the prestige of the aristocratic families of the Etruscan city. The finds from the tombs are preserved mainly in the MAEC, in the historic centre of Cortona, to which the area is linked by a combined ticket.
Highlights
- Mound II at the Sodo with altar for funerary rites
- Tomb 2 in Mound II, intact sepulchre of the Velara family
- Mound I from the 7th century BC with chamber tomb
- Combined ticket with the MAEC, where the finds are preserved
Permanent exhibition
- Tumuli I e II del Sodo – Two Etruscan funerary monuments of the Archaic period, with chamber tombs, an altar for funerary rites and a visitor route around the mounds.
- Operated by
- MAEC – Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca e della Città di Cortona
- Visitors per year
- approx. 3,724
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Groups of more than 15 people, families (2 adults and 2 children), holders of the Edumusei Card, FAI members, university students with the Carta dello Studente della Toscana |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Free admission up to 18. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and their companions. |
| Students & apprentices | –Free for school groups. |
| Groups (16+ people) | €3 per personReduced rate for groups of more than 15 people; one companion per group free. |
| Families | €3Reduced ticket for 2 adults and 2 children. |
| Combined ticket MAEC Museum + Sodo archaeological area, standard | €15 |
| Combined ticket MAEC Museum + Sodo archaeological area, reduced | €10 |
Free admission: First Sunday of the month from April to October (in 2026 the programme ended on 4 October).
Free admission also for residents of the Comune di Cortona, ICOM members, tourist guides, professional journalists and officials of the Ministry of Culture with ID card.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The MAEC offers audio guides via the izi.Travel app and guided tours with archaeologists and art historians by booking (prenotazioni@cortonamaec.org, +39 0575 630 415). |
