Etruria Danza
The international contemporary dance festival held across the archaeological sites of Lazio's Etruria region
About Etruria Danza
A festival spread between dance and archaeology
Founded in 2026, Etruria Danza is the first international contemporary dance festival spread across the Lazio Etruria region. The project, promoted by the Associazione Profession Dance with the support of the Lazio Region and under the artistic direction of Paola Sorressa, transforms archaeological sites, museums, squares, and urban spaces into open-air stages for over two months. From July 16 to September 26, the festival visits five municipalities in succession: Ladispoli, Allumiere, Cerveteri, Tolfa, and Tarquinia, before concluding back on the coast in Ladispoli.
The Tarquinia stop at the National Archaeological Museum
The most evocative moment of the journey is the double evening on September 12 and 13 in Tarquinia, in the province of Viterbo, where the spaces of the National Archaeological Museum host site-specific creations and indoor performances. Amidst the painted tombs and Etruscan artifacts that have made the city a UNESCO World Heritage site, contemporary dance engages with one of the symbolic places of Etruscan civilization. On stage are the companies E-Motion, ResExtensa, Petranura Danza, and Atacama, with choreography by, among others, Francesca La Cava, Antonella Albanese, Patrizia Cavola, and Ivan Truol.
Italian and international companies
The program alternates established names of the Italian scene with international productions: the Balletto di Roma with its 'Galà d'Autore', the Mandala Dance Company led by Sorressa herself, Borderline Danza, Gruppo Danza Oggi, and, for the closing, guest groups such as Larumbe Danza, Irene K, and Takiri Art Company. Many creations are designed specifically for the venues that host them, from the Amphitheater of the Villa Romana di Pompeo in Marina di San Nicola to Piazza Santa Maria in Cerveteri.
The bond with the territory
Etruria Danza stems from the collaboration between the involved municipal administrations—starting with the Municipality of Tarquinia—and the PACT, Archaeological Park of Cerveteri and Tarquinia. The goal is twofold: to introduce new audiences to contemporary dance and to enhance the archaeological heritage of southern Etruria through the universal language of the body. A formula that combines cultural tourism and live performance in one of the most history-rich areas of Lazio.
An accessible festival
The pricing policy is designed for everyone: numerous events are free, while others have a symbolic ticket price of 5 euros, with free entry for children under 10 and seniors over 60. Tickets are purchased exclusively on-site, starting one hour before the show: an invitation to experience the evening with the simplicity of a village festival and the quality of major stages.
Etruria Danza — edition 2026
The first edition
Etruria Danza debuts in the summer of 2026 as a spread-out festival: over two months of performances among archaeological sites, museums, squares, and urban spaces in five municipalities of the Lazio Etruria region, under the artistic direction of Paola Sorressa. The journey begins on July 16 in Marina di San Nicola (Ladispoli) and concludes on September 26, again in Ladispoli, after stops in Allumiere, Cerveteri, Tolfa, and Tarquinia.
In Tarquinia, the festival reaches its highlight on September 12 and 13, when the halls and courtyards of the National Archaeological Museum host site-specific creations and indoor versions of some of the most interesting Italian contemporary dance productions. The overall program alternates companies such as the Balletto di Roma, the Mandala Dance Company, Borderline Danza, and international guests, with numerous free or symbolically priced events.
Programme Etruria Danza 2026
Ladispoli — Marina di San Nicola (July 16-17)
- July 16, 8:00 PM — "IntercettAzioni", site-specific creation by Paola Sorressa for Mandala Dance Company (La Piazzetta); 9:30 PM — "Trittico Black & White 2.0" (Amphitheater of the Villa Romana di Pompeo)
- July 17, 9:30 PM — "L'altro"; 10:15 PM — "Radici a terra"
Allumiere — Piazza della Repubblica (July 27-28)
- July 27, 9:30 PM — "Romeo & Juliet Project" by Daniela Maccari for Borderline Danza
- July 28, 9:30 PM — Mandala Dance Company with "Il corpo danzante: omaggio a Pasolini" and "Stone"
Cerveteri — Piazza Santa Maria (July 31 - August 2)
- July 31, from 9:30 PM — "Anghingò" (Atacama) and "Noi siamo Caos"
- August 1, from 9:30 PM — "Galà d'Autore" by Balletto di Roma, with choreography by Valerio Longo, Martina Licciardo, Marcello Giovannini, and Simone Manzato; followed by "Stone"
- August 2, from 9:30 PM — "La passeggiata", "Panta Rhei", and "DuetX"
Tolfa — Villa Comunale, Pompilio Tagliani Amphitheater (August 25-26)
- August 25, 9:00 PM — "Lay Bare" (ResExtensa) and "Donna: il coraggio delle emozioni" (GDO - Gruppo Danza Oggi)
- August 26, 9:00 PM — Mandala Dance Company with "Insieme" and "Stone"
Tarquinia — National Archaeological Museum (September 12-13)
- Saturday, September 12: 7:00 PM — "Resounding", site-specific version by E-Motion, choreography by Francesca La Cava; 8:30 PM — "Resounding" indoor version; 9:15 PM — "Lay Bare" by ResExtensa, choreography by Antonella Albanese and Cassandra Bianco
- Sunday, September 13: 7:00 PM — "Panta Rhei" (excerpt) by Petranura Danza; 8:30 PM — "Anghingò" by Atacama, choreography by Patrizia Cavola and Ivan Truol; 9:15 PM — "Panta Rhei" full version
Ladispoli — closing (September 26)
- September 26, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM — final evening with Larumbe Danza, Irene K, and Takiri Art Company
Highlights Etruria Danza 2026
- First edition of the first international contemporary dance festival in Lazio's Etruria
- Double evening at the National Archaeological Museum of Tarquinia (Sept 12-13)
- Galà d'Autore by Balletto di Roma in Cerveteri (Aug 1)
- Site-specific creations designed for archaeological sites and historic squares
- Five municipalities involved: Tarquinia, Cerveteri, Ladispoli, Allumiere, and Tolfa
- Free entry or 5 euros, with free admission for under 10s and over 60s
Prices Etruria Danza 2026
Practical information — Etruria Danza
How to get to Tarquinia
By train: Tarquinia station on the Rome-Civitavecchia-Pisa line; from the station, shuttles and local buses reach the historic center. By car: A12 Rome-Civitavecchia motorway, exit Civitavecchia Nord, then SS1 Aurelia to Tarquinia; parking available near the city walls. The National Archaeological Museum is located at Palazzo Vitelleschi, in the heart of the historic center.
Tickets
Some performances are free, others cost 5 euros (free for under 10s and over 60s). Sales on-site only, starting one hour before the show. Information and reservations: [email protected].
Tips
Evening performances take place outdoors or in museum spaces: we recommend clothing suitable for late summer evenings and arriving early to visit the museum and the historic center of Tarquinia.
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Where does it take place — Etruria Danza
Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Tarquinia