Parco archeologico del Lago dell'Accesa

About the museum

The archaeological park extends over several dozen hectares around Lake Accesa, about 7 km from Massa Marittima. The area was inhabited from the Paleolithic until the Roman imperial age and reached its greatest development in the Etruscan period, between the 9th and 6th centuries BC, when a network of small villages with their own necropolises arose along the shores of the lake.

The site probably belonged to Vetulonia and drew its wealth from the nearby metal deposits. Excavations, begun in 1980, have uncovered five residential quarters, whose house foundations remain visible, as well as tombs and metalworking areas; the finds date mainly from the late 7th and the 6th century BC. Among the documented necropolises are Macchia del Monte, Podere del Lago, Sodacavalli, Campo al Ginepro and Podere Nuovo.

The route is marked by information panels along the various sectors. Not far away is the abandoned hamlet of Forni dell’Accesa, with the remains of 18th-century smelting furnaces. Finds from the site are displayed in the Museo Archeologico di Massa Marittima.

Highlights

• Etruscan residential quarters with visible foundations
• Necropolises and metalworking areas
• Lake Accesa, up to 50 metres deep
• Remains of the smelting furnaces at Forni dell’Accesa
• Audio guide on izi.travel and virtual tour

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso nell’area archeologica – Marked route through Etruscan residential quarters, necropolises and metalworking areas.

Director

Roberta Pieraccioli

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission according to the Museionline listing (as of 09/2024).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the regional listing, the park is not accessible to people with mobility impairments.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

From La Pesta you cross a wooden footbridge over the Bruna river on foot and follow a tree-lined eucalyptus path of no more than 200 metres; by car it is about 400 metres from the locality to the excavation area.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit