Tuscania Nature Reserve

The Historic Centre

The present historic centre is only one part of Medieval Tuscania which until the 15th century stretched towards the south and included the S. Pietro Hill, the Church of S. Maria Maggiore and the whole Rivellino Hill, seat of the Priors and the Podesta in the Middle Ages. The buildings date back mainly to the 16th - 19th centuries but there are also Medieval churches (S. Marco, S. Maria delle Rose, S. Silvestro) and the remains of the Church of the Convent of S. Francesco, built in austere Umbrian-Latian Medieval style and the Cathedral of S. Giacomo, built in 16th century style.
The whole historic centre is rich in fascinating nooks and crannies and attractive sights, including the Piazza del Comune (City Hall Square) with the figures of Etruscan sarcophagi facing each other as if in a mute banquet between the square, the former church of the SS. Martiri and the Romanesque church of S. Croce; the belvedere of the Torre di Lavello Park, offers one of the most beautiful views over the historic centre, Tuscania and the splendid valley of the Marta river.