Etruscan Symposium (featuring The Etruscan Tells)

An Etruscan night on the Roman coast

The Etruscan Symposium is the most iconic summer event in Ladispoli, a town on the northern coast of the Metropolitan City of Rome, in the Lazio region. Established in 1993 by the Pro Loco Ladispoli, the event brings to life the atmosphere of an Etruscan-Roman banquet from twenty-five centuries ago, when these shores were the heart of southern Etruria, revolving around the powerful city of Caere, modern-day Cerveteri.

The re-enactment is officially registered in the Lazio Region's Historical Re-enactments Registry, a recognition that certifies its historical accuracy and deep local roots. This is not merely a costume party: every participant, ritual gesture, and musical instrument is the result of years of research into the archaeological sources of the Cerite area.

What to see in the square

The natural stage is Piazza Rossellini, Ladispoli's main square, which for one night transforms into the hall of a princely palace. The lucumone (Etruscan ruler) and his princess, the augur interpreting the flight of birds, the haruspex reading animal entrails, the scribe, court dignitaries, and Roman nobles visiting as guests all come to life. The stories performed are not fictional: they recount real events that occurred along this stretch of coast, from dynastic marriages between Etruscan and Roman families to the political agreements that marked the slow transition of Etruria under Rome.

• Historical pageant with over one hundred participants in authentic costumes
• Musicians playing reproductions of ancient instruments
• Dancers, acrobats, wrestlers, and fire jugglers
• Final banquet and ritual symposium games
• Scenic effects and light shows to close the evening

The Night of San Lorenzo and the new calendar

Traditionally, the Symposium was always held on August 10th, the Night of San Lorenzo, to combine the magic of shooting stars with that of the re-enactment. In recent years, the date has been moved slightly earlier to fit into the municipal summer calendar, but the spirit remains unchanged: an open-air night show, free and open to everyone.

The Etruscan Tells

The Symposium is accompanied by The Etruscan Tells, a storytelling event held the night before the main re-enactment. It is a more intimate theatrical performance dedicated to the stories and legends of the Bosco di Palo area, the ancient coastal pine forest that survives just a few kilometers from the town center, guarding Etruscan, Roman, and medieval memories. Together, the two events form a two-day journey through archaeology, storytelling, and live performance.

Why it's worth the trip

Ladispoli can be reached from Rome in just over half an hour by train and is the natural gateway to the Banditaccia Necropolis in Cerveteri, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Attending the Etruscan Symposium means giving a face, a voice, and a sound to that funerary world which museums preserve in silence. After the show, a walk along the black sand promenade completes an evening that blends culture, the sea, and popular tradition. The initiative is part of the Pro Loco's strategy to enhance the territory's historical, archaeological, and natural heritage, promoting cultural and eco-sustainable tourism alongside beach holidays.