Populonia was one of the 12 city-states of the Etruscan Dodecapolis, and the only major coastal city of this civilization, called Pupluna or Fufluna in antiquity.
On the acropolis a beautiful medieval fortress protects today the small fortified village, just steps from the ancient acropolis located 180 meters above sea level north of the promontory of Piombino, with its Etruscan and Roman remains. The site dominates the coast and the Gulf of Baratti where it is located below other ancient sites with the Etruscan necropolis, from the shore to the woods of the interior.
Populonia enjoyed several advantages under the Etruscans, at the crossroads of trade routes in the western Mediterranean, close to the metal resources of the Campigliese mountains and the iron deposits of the island of Elba.
The city had a high town around the acropolis, including temples and public buildings, as well as houses, and a low town near the gulf with the port and workshops (steel industry) and traders. Each side was protected by walls.
Town of Populonia
The fortified town of the Rocca dates back to the 15th century, a beautiful medieval complex protected by its medieval walls with cobbled streets and the castle. It was built by the Appiani, lords of Piombino, whose coat of arms are engraved on the door of the village (winged dragon, helmet, …).
Inside the enclosure, stone houses are now home to shops selling local crafts and products.
The Rocca is a beautiful fortress. From the castle tower, originally built by Pisa in the 12th century, you can enjoy a view over the promontory, the gulf and the coast, with the Tuscan islands and up to Corsica.
On the main square, the church of Santa Croce dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries.
The Populonia Museum with its Gasparri Collection is housed in an old oil mill, gathering the findings of excavations from the surrounding area, Etruscan, Roman and underwater.
Almost 2 km away, in the woods and maquis of the promontory, are the remains of the Benedictine monastery of San Quirico, dating back to an hour ago.
Archaeological Park of Baratti and Populonia
The Archaeological Park of Baratti and Populonia is an archaeological complex with two sites from the ancient Etruscan city. In the upper part there is the Acropolis, temples, as well as Roman buildings with mosaics, Roman streets, some tombs, etc.
In the lower part there are two Etruscan necropolises, one of which is very close to the coast and old quarries.
The ticket prices are high, and complicated. However, are included some guided tours (in Italian) such as the necropolis of San Cerbone, the necropolis of the Grottoes, and the Acropolis, leaving at fixed times.
Acropolis of Populonia
Panorama from the Acropolis of Populonia
The Acropolis of Populonia contains important remains of Roman temples, dominating the ancient city of Etruscan origin. An imposing terrace called Logge had luxurious houses.
At the top of the promontory are the remains of the first Etruscan settlements, which can be reached by walking along the old city walls and discovering views from the other side of the promontory on the coast and the Island of Elba.
Roman cobbled streets, a restored mosaic, the foundations of temples, a nymphaeum, baths, reconstructions as a typical cabin of the Villanovian era.
Populonia Necropolis
The Necropoli del Podere San Cerbone has tombs dating from the 7th to 5th century BC, some of them almost on the beach, tumulus graves such as the 28-metre-wide Tomb of the Chariots (Tomba dei Carri in Italian) and aedicules.
The Necropoli delle Grotte or the Cava del Tufo (of the tuff quarry in English) has tombs from the 4th century BC, carved in the tuff rock on several floors, on the hills overlooking the Gulf of Baratti.
The hills are dotted with necropolis formed by chamber tombs, dug in the rock, with a descending staircase leading to the chamber.
It takes about 35 minutes to walk through the woods to reach the Necropolis delle Cave.
Route
The route, called Via del Ferro, passes through several tombs, tombs and buildings where iron was worked.
Via della Romanella leads to the remains of the ancient walls of Populonia and then joins the acropolis by an old paved road that crosses the wood.
Via delle Cave crosses a beautiful wood through ancient stone quarries, numerous tombs, including a belvedere overlooking the bay and the necropolis of the Caves, then a fork leads to the remains of the Benedictine monastery of San Quirico and the acropolis.
Gulf of Baratti
North of the promontory of Piombino and near Populonia, the Gulf of Baratti is close to the Etruscan necropolises, closed to the north by the promontories of Poggio San Leonardo and to the south by the tower of Baratti.
The beach is sandy with amber colors related to iron slag, residues from the exploitation of iron during the Etruscan period, bordered in places by a beautiful pine forest. At the first south are indeed remains of the ancient port and metallurgical installations. The area is also ideal for water sports.
Proposals for visits and activities
Where is Populonia, map
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Links and sources
- Official site of the archaeological park of Populonia and Baratti : www.parchivaldicornia.it
- Populonia : en.wikipedia.org, www.visittuscany.com, borghipiubelliditalia.it
- Archaeological Park of Populonia : en.wikipedia.org, www.visittuscany.com
- Gulf of Baratti : golfobaratti.com
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