Rock-cut Necropolis of Norchia

Human presence in Norchia has been documented since the Neolithic age and especially from the Bronze Age. Located in the municipality of Viterbo but accessible only from Vetralla, the site reached its peak development between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC, coinciding with the expansion of nearby Tarquinia and later Rome. At the end of the 1st century BC, Norchia was annexed to the municipium of Tarquinia. Between the 10th and 11th centuries, Pope Adrian IV built a fortification there with walls, towers, and a castle, which later became the property of the Prefetti di Vico and was abandoned in 1435.

The numerous rock-cut necropolises spread across the valleys of the Pile, Acqualta, and Biedano. Along the Pile valley, accessible from Pian delle Vigne, there are series of semi-cube tombs distributed over two or three levels of tuff terraces, including the Ciarlanti Tomb, the Chimney Tomb, and the Prostyle Tomb (4th century BC), as well as the famous Tomb of the Three Heads, featuring three protomes on the lintel of the false door. Going up the Fosso Acqualta, you reach an area incredibly rich in tombs, where two extraordinary side-by-side Temple Tombs stand out—a typology found in Italy only in Sovana—dating back to the early 3rd century BC, with pediments sculpted with figures. In the Biedano area, you can find the Lattanzi Tomb (late 4th century BC), with a two-story facade and portico, and the Smurinas Tombs group.

Of the medieval village, inhabited until the 14th century, there remain the arched medieval Gate with its wall-walk and loopholes, and the Parish Church of S. Pietro (12th century), rebuilt using Roman materials, featuring two early medieval tombs carved into the tuff around the apse. The Via Clodia crosses the site and continues toward Tuscania through the great cutting known as Cava Buia, about 10 m deep and 400 m long, with medieval inscriptions on the walls.