by Redazione 19/10/2026
Categories: Archaeology / Disclaimer
New archaeological evidence, traces of human activity dating from protohistory to the Roman era, and the restoration of the historic fountain: thanks to projects funded by the PNRR, the Sanctuary of Demeter in Macchia delle Valli, in the municipality of Vetralla, is preparing to reopen to the public.
A sacred site with ancient roots, a history spanning the centuries, and new discoveries that enrich our understanding of Etruria’s archaeological heritage. The Sanctuary of Demeter in Macchia delle Valli, in the Vetralla area, is preparing to reopen to the public following research, conservation, and enhancement efforts led by the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape for the province of Viterbo and southern Etruria, thanks to funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). On Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. (free admission, no reservation required), there will be a presentation of the archaeological excavation , restoration, and enhancement work carried out at the site.
The most recent excavation campaigns have yielded significant results, helping to outline with greater precision the history of one of the region’s most important archaeological complexes. The new findings have also made it possible to update the visitor experience, highlighting the relationship between the artifacts of the past and the surrounding landscape.
Among the most significant findings of the investigations is the expansion of the chronological range of the site’s occupation, which the new discoveries allow us to extend back to protohistory. The excavations have also provided useful evidence for reconstructing the architectural evolution of the sanctuary during its Late Etruscan and Roman phases. The findings confirm the importance of the cult of Demeter and the sacred nature of the area, documenting a long continuity of occupation and devotion. This continuity, stretching from the earliest protohistoric evidence through to the Roman era, paints a picture of a place deeply rooted in the religious and cultural history of the region.
The excavations, conducted down to the natural bedrock, have also brought to light traces of the area’s use as a quarry, identified in sectors that had not been documented until now.
Alongside the new discoveries from the excavations, the restoration of the historic fountain and its associated structures—along with the system of terraces that characterizes the hillside—played an important role. These elements recount another chapter in the history of Macchia delle Valli: that of the relationship between the local communities and the area’s natural resources, particularly water. The restored structures bear witness to the area’s long-standing use, extending into the modern era, thereby expanding our understanding of the transformations that have shaped the landscape.
The interventions carried out by the Superintendency have made it possible to strengthen the protection of the archaeological complex and improve access to it. Scientific research has thus been intertwined with the conservation of the structures and the design of a visitor route capable of connecting the archaeological remains with their natural context.
The Sanctuary of Demeter is therefore set to be returned to the public, offering an opportunity to rediscover a site of great historical, archaeological, and scenic value and to gain a deeper understanding, through new discoveries, of the long history of a region rich in evidence of the past.
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| The Shrine of Demeter in Vetralla Reopens to the Public: New Discoveries Date Back to Protohistory |
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