Enigmatic Norchia is an archaeological site nestled within Italy’s leafy landscapes near Vetralla, in Lazio. This historical treasure trove is hidden away by Monte Romano’s military polygon and captures the spirit of ancient civilizations through a remarkable Etruscan necropolis and the remnants of Roman architecture. But Norchia also offers a glimpse into medieval times, thanks to the vestiges of a castle and a church, in what we can easily call a “ghost village.”

From the Upper Paleolithic era through the Bronze Age, and into its zenith in the Etruscan period from the 6th to the 2nd century BC, Norchia flourished on a plateau where the Pile and Acqualta streams converge into the Biedano River. The site is known for its Etruscan rock-hewn tombs, a marvel of ancient engineering and craftsmanship showing the deep cultural significance of death and the afterlife in Etruscan society.