Blu Etrusco Festival

Murlo and the rediscovery of Etruria

The Blu Etrusco Festival takes place in Murlo, a small medieval village in the province of Siena, in the heart of southern Tuscany. The event stems from one of Italy's most extraordinary archaeological discoveries: the excavations at Poggio Civitate, where a magnificent Etruscan Princely Palace from the 7th-6th century BC was unearthed. The artifacts from that site, now housed in the Antiquarium of Poggio Civitate (the Etruscan museum located in the Bishop's Palace), are the core around which the entire festival revolves.

A weekend journey through time

For two days, usually on the last weekend of August, the historic center of Murlo transforms into an Etruscan village. The festival, reaching its tenth edition in 2025, offers a rich, multidisciplinary program that combines scientific rigor with popular outreach, designed for both enthusiasts and families.

The Etruscan market and experimental archaeology

The most spectacular moment is the Etruscan market, set up along the village streets and in the Cathedral square. Here, artisans and archaeologists demonstrate ancient techniques live:

• bronze working and metal casting;
• iron forging and goldsmithing;
• pottery throwing and weaving;
• Etruscan-style wine production and perfume making;
• educational workshops for adults and children.

Archeotrekking, re-enactments, and lectures

Among the most popular activities is archeotrekking, a free guided hike of about five kilometers that connects the Murlo museum to the Poggio Civitate excavation site, passing through the Poggio Aguzzo necropolis. In the evening, by torchlight, the evocative re-enactment of an Etruscan funeral takes place, reconstructed based on archaeological and literary sources: it is the most moving moment of the event. The program is rounded out by lectures with archaeologists and scholars from Italian universities, reconstructions of the symposium and the gynaecium inside the museum, as well as evening concerts in the square.

Taste and territory

The food and wine dimension is not to be missed: stands with traditional Tuscan cuisine, street food, local wines, and themed tastings. The festival adheres to regional projects for the promotion of Etruscan civilization supported by the Tuscany Region and is organized by the Municipality of Murlo with the support of the Fondazione Musei Senesi and local cultural associations.

Why it's worth the trip

Blu Etrusco is much more than a local fair: it is an immersive experience that allows you to touch the daily life of the Etruscans in one of the symbolic places of their civilization. For those visiting the Crete Senesi and the province of Siena at the end of summer, it is a unique opportunity to combine culture, landscape, and tradition.