SUTRI — 11 MILES
Sutri is known as the Gate of Etruria, a label that clearly identifies its ancient beginnings. By 310 BC, it became part of the Roman empire, which helped it to prosper. During the middle ages, Sutri was a stopping place for pilgrims making their way along the Via Francigena to the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul. It’s also believed that Charlemagne stopped here on his way to his coronation in Rome.
The old town can be reached by Via Cassia, and once there you will be surrounded by the remains of medieval walls and city gates. A stroll through this area will bring you past dark stone houses, Roman fragments, medieval decorations on doorways, beautiful little squares, elegant fountains and small churches.
What’s most important about Sutri is it’s archeological sites. Along the Poggio Savorelli are tombs dating from the 6th century BC, and on the edge of the Via Cassia is the Etruscan necropolis, containing 64 tombs arranged on different levels. You will also find an amphitheatre that dates from sometime around the first century BC, and an underground church that originally served as a gathering place for the followers of the Persian god Mithra before it was converted to a church, when Christianity became the official religion of Rome.
To learn more, go to visitlazio.com.
