Discover Murlo: Etruscan History and Heritage

Murlo brings together several points of interest for a trip: archaeological finds and remains of Etruscan palaces, historic buildings, as well as trails in natural areas and along a cycling route. If you’re looking for hotels in Murlo, you can start by deciding whether cultural history, the town’s buildings, or outdoor activities will be the focus of your stay.

Etruscan Finds and Palace Phases

The Antiquarium di Poggio Civitate is housed in the former Bishop’s Palace in the centre of Murlo’s small borgo. It contains archaeological finds from the municipality, particularly from the important Etruscan site of Poggio Civitate. The museum collection and the archaeological site thus offer different points of focus within the same archaeological theme.

Excavations at Poggio Civitate uncovered the remains of Etruscan palaces in an aristocratic complex. An Orientalising phase and an Archaic phase, dating to the 7th and 6th centuries BC, can be identified. The oldest building, also described as Orientalising, is dated to around 630 BC. This approximate date refers to the oldest building; it is distinct from the dating of the two construction phases.

A circular trail to the excavations is just under 5 km long and starts and ends in Murlo. This gives the route a clear connection to the town’s archaeological focus. As trail conditions may change, it is advisable to check them before setting out.

The Borgo and Historic Buildings

Castello di Murlo was the main centre of the episcopal fief and the seat of the Bishops of Siena. The walls surrounding the borgo, or castello, are still visible along almost their entire perimeter. There are two gates along the perimeter: one to the north and the other to the south or west. The walls and gates give the historic townscape a tangible spatial form and complement the history of the castello with visible architectural features.

Another point of interest is Pieve di S. Maria a Carli, a church in the village of Pieve a Carli near Murlo. It is documented from 1081 and was restored in 1767. The two dates represent different periods in its history: 1081 is the year it was first documented, while 1767 is the year of its restoration. Visitors interested in ecclesiastical architectural history will find a different historical focus here alongside the Etruscan sites.

Natural Areas and Cycling

The Basso Merse Nature Reserve covers part of the municipality of Murlo. A trail in the reserve leads to the Eremo di Montespecchio hermitage, also known as “Conventaccio.” Together with the circular trail to the excavations, this makes for a clear distinction between the destinations: here, the focus is the hermitage in the nature reserve; there, it is the archaeological site near Murlo. Access conditions for this trail may also change, so check them before setting out.

Murlo is also connected to a route for cycling enthusiasts: the permanent Eroica route passes through the municipality. As route details may change, it is worth checking the current route before planning your ride. This makes it possible to treat the cultural points of interest and the cycling route as distinct aspects of a stay, without combining them into a single route.

Discover More Destinations

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