Sunset with the Etruscans
Archaeology, music, and flavors on the beach of Montalto Marina
About Sunset with the Etruscans
An encounter with the Etruscans at sunset
Sunset with the Etruscans is an archaeological outreach festival that brings the beach of Piazzale Tirreno to life in the heart of summer. Located along the Harmine promenade in Montalto Marina, a seaside district of the municipality of Montalto di Castro in the province of Viterbo, northern Lazio, the events begin at 6:30 PM—the golden hour when the light turns oblique and the coastline of ancient maritime Etruria takes on the colors that have made this stretch of coast famous.
The format: a book, the sea, and music
Each evening revolves around the presentation of a book or research project dedicated to the Etruscan world, featuring scholars, museum directors, and field archaeologists. The dialogue with the audience avoids the tone of an academic conference; instead, it is a conversation by the sea, designed for vacationers who want to discover what lies just a few kilometers from their beach umbrella.
- Presentation of the work and dialogue with the authors
- Live musical interlude (piano, guitar, accordion, or saxophone depending on the evening)
- Dance performance by the Centro Studio Danza
- Final toast and tasting of local products
Vulci, the great Etruscan metropolis
The festival was not born by chance in Montalto di Castro. The municipal territory is home to the Vulci Archaeological and Nature Park, one of the most important city-states of Etruria, featuring its necropolises, the Devil's Bridge (Ponte del Diavolo), and the Abbadia Castle, which houses the National Archaeological Museum. Excavations in the Osteria and Poggio Mengarelli necropolises continue to yield grave goods and tombs that rewrite our understanding of the Etruscans, and these discoveries are often presented as exclusive previews on the beach of Montalto Marina.
Organizers
The initiative is promoted by the Department of Tourism and Events of the Municipality of Montalto di Castro as part of the Montalto Events summer program, in collaboration with the TCM — Turismo & Commercio Montalto association, the Vulci Foundation, and the Solidarietà & Cultura Foundation, with the support of the Lazio Region and ARSIAL, the regional agency for agricultural development. ARSIAL's support highlights the focus on the food and wine experience: the wines and products offered for tasting come from farms in the Lazio Maremma and Tuscia regions.
Why it's worth attending
It is one of the few cultural events on the Lazio coast that successfully balances scientific rigor with summer relaxation. You don't need to be an archaeology buff: the short format, the beach setting, and the closing toast make the experience accessible to everyone, including families. Admission is free and no reservation is required, though it is advisable to arrive early to secure a seat in the front rows, which offer the best view of the presentations.
Around the festival
Those staying in Montalto Marina can easily combine the evening with a daytime visit to the Vulci Park, a stroll through the medieval village of Montalto di Castro, or a detour to Tarquinia, famous for its UNESCO-listed painted tombs. The festival is part of a broader summer calendar that includes concerts, food festivals, and other cultural initiatives along the entire coastline.
Sunset with the Etruscans — edition 2026
2026 Edition
The festival returns to Montalto Marina as part of the Montalto Events — Summer 2026 program, promoted by the Department of Tourism and Events of the Municipality of Montalto di Castro with the support of the Lazio Region and ARSIAL, in collaboration with the Vulci Foundation, the Solidarietà & Cultura Foundation, and the TCM association.
The opening evening brought Dr. Simona Carosi, archaeologist Carlo Casi, and historian Daniele Mattei to the sands of Piazzale Tirreno for a journey through bioarchaeology, myths, and Etruscan customs, with a special focus on Tomb 58 of the Osteria necropolis, one of the most debated excavation sites in the Vulci area. The presentations were accompanied by pianist Leonardo Poponi and the dancers of the ASD Centro Studio Danza, followed by a tasting of local products.
Subsequent appointments continue at 6:30 PM, with three meetings dedicated to archaeological outreach and the presentation of recent books.
Programme Sunset with the Etruscans 2026
2026 Program — Piazzale Tirreno Beach, Lungomare Harmine, 6:30 PM
- Friday, July 10 — Opening night: bioarchaeology, myths, and Etruscan customs, with an in-depth look at Tomb 58 of the Osteria necropolis. Featuring Simona Carosi, archaeologist Carlo Casi (Scientific Director of the Vulci Foundation), and historian Daniele Mattei. Live music with pianist Leonardo Poponi and a performance by the ASD Centro Studio Danza. Final tasting of local products.
- Thursday, July 16 — Presentation of the book «The Importance of Being Beautiful. Jewelry and Ornaments of the Etruscan Women of Vulci», with Simona Rafanelli, Director of the Archaeological Museum of Vetulonia.
- Thursday, July 30 — Presentation of «The Remaining Body. The prothesis in the Etruscan urn of Civitavecchia and contemporary resonances», with Lara Anniboletti, Director of the National Archaeological Museum of Civitavecchia, and Alessandro Mandolesi, former professor at the University of Turin.
- Thursday, August 6 — Meeting on «Intended Use of Archaeological Assets», with Marilena Scuotto and Vincenzo D'Ercole.
Each evening concludes with a toast and a tasting of local products curated by the TCM association.
Highlights Sunset with the Etruscans 2026
- Meetings take place directly on the sand at sunset over the Tyrrhenian Sea
- News from the Vulci excavations shared by those who led them, often as an exclusive preview
- Tomb 58 of the Osteria necropolis at the center of the opening night
- Live music and dance as a counterpoint to scientific presentations
- Tasting of wines and products from the Tuscia and Lazio Maremma regions at the end of the evening
- Completely free admission, no reservation required
Prices Sunset with the Etruscans 2026
Practical information — Sunset with the Etruscans
Location
Piazzale Tirreno beach, access from Lungomare Harmine, Montalto Marina (Montalto di Castro, VT).
Time
All meetings begin at 6:30 PM. We recommend arriving a few minutes early to find a seat.
Admission
Free, no reservation required. The final tasting is also offered to participants.
How to get there
By car: SS1 Aurelia, exit Montalto di Castro, then follow signs for Montalto Marina (approx. 4 km). By train: Montalto di Castro station on the Rome — Grosseto — Pisa line, then bus or taxi to the marina. Nearest airports: Rome Fiumicino (approx. 110 km) and Grosseto.
Tips
Bring a light sweater: the sea breeze can be cool after sunset. The meetings take place on the sand, so comfortable shoes or flip-flops are recommended.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Sunset with the Etruscans
Spiaggia di Piazzale Tirreno, Montalto Marina
Piazzale Tirreno, Lungomare Harmine, 01014 Montalto di Castro