Area archeologica di Volsinii
Archaeological area of Poggio Moscini above Bolsena, with the forum, basilica, shops and the Domus del Ninfeo and Domus delle Pitture of ancient Roman Volsinii.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Above today’s Bolsena, on the Poggio Moscini, lie the remains of the Roman city of Volsinii, founded by the survivors of the ancient Etruscan city destroyed by the Romans in 264 BC. Between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD the city reached its peak, enriched with public and private buildings through civic patronage: a theatre, baths, a basilica, a forum and an amphitheatre. In the imperial period the public and residential spaces expanded, and a new monumental square with a civic basilica was built.
From the 3rd century AD a slow decline set in, which led in the 5th century to the abandonment of the city and the move of its inhabitants to the hill where modern Bolsena now stands. Excavations by the Scuola francese di Roma at Poggio Moscini have brought to light the forum with its basilica, shops and warehouses, a decorated latrine and a covered street linking the public centre to the houses.
Among the houses, the Domus del Ninfeo stands out, a luxury residence decorated with statues and reliefs, and the Domus delle Pitture, with frescoes of the 3rd century AD and objects linked to the cult of Dionysus, including the famous Trono delle Pantere (Throne of the Panthers). The most significant finds are displayed in the Museo territoriale del Lago di Bolsena, in the Rocca Monaldeschi.
Highlights
- Forum with basilica, shops and warehouses
- Domus del Ninfeo, a residence decorated with statues and reliefs
- Domus delle Pitture with frescoes of the 3rd century AD
- Trono delle Pantere (Throne of the Panthers), an object linked to the cult of Dionysus
- Free admission
Permanent exhibition
- Città romana di Volsinii a Poggio Moscini – Forum and basilica, shops, warehouses and the Domus del Ninfeo and Domus delle Pitture of the ancient Roman city.
- Operated by
- Ministero della Cultura – Soprintendenza Archeologia, belle arti e paesaggio per la provincia di Viterbo e per l'Etruria meridionale
- Visitors per year
- approx. 3,009
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission.
Accessibility
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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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