Across Tuscany, 18 archaeological sites will be open free of charge on the first Sunday of each month until October 2026, giving visitors a chance to explore traces of ancient civilisations and Tuscany’s rich cultural heritage.
Initiated by Tuscany’s regional government and the Ministry of Culture, this new scheme aims to bring residents and tourists alike closer to the region’s lesser-known historical sites while making them more accessible.
Just outside of Florence, the Civic Archaeological Museum of Fiesole is among the 18 participating locations. The museum traces more than 2,000 years of history, with artefacts from the Etruscan, Roman and Lombard periods. The archaeological site is one of the richest in the region, preserving the remains of an Etruscan-Roman temple and Roman thermal baths that were powered by two ovens still visible today. The highlight of the museum is the Roman theatre which is not only incredibly well-preserved but also offers sweeping views of the surrounding green landscape. Built on a slope, the theatre takes advantage of the natural hillside where stone tiers once seated audiences for plays, ceremonies and musical performances.
Discovered during archaeological excavations in the 1950s, the Roman theatre of Volterra was built during the Augustan period at the end of the first century BC. It could hold up to 3,500 spectators, and notably, seats engraved with the names of influential Volterran families, including the Persii and the Laelii, were uncovered at the site. The structure also had a velarium, an awning, that shielded the audience and performers from the elements.
The park of Baratti and Populonia is home to the ruins of the only Etruscan city built on the sea, where ancient necropolises, temples and houses come together in one of Tuscany’s most beautiful coastal landscapes. Overlooking the gulf, the Acropolis of Populonia reveals the ancient city’s former splendour and maritime legacy. Accessible paths around the site guide visitors through the important landmarks, along ancient walls and restored remains.
The Roman Massaciuccoli museum and archaeological area, on the banks of Lake Massaciuccoli, includes a Roman villa, a building with ancient mosaics, and a museum dedicated to the artefacts found there. The villa, built in the 1st century AD, belonged to the Venulei family, who were prominent in politics, pottery and brick production. Their residence served as a holiday home and featured thermal baths overlooking the lake. Mosaics decorated with mythical animals in black and white tiles are found in a separate building within the archaeological complex.
Located on an elliptical highland, the archaeological area of Roselle preserves the remains of one of the most important cities of Etruria. Spread across two hills, the vast site allows visitors to explore the city walls, paved streets, baths and villas of the city, which was urbanised by the Etruscans in the 7th century BC and later ruled by the Romans. The remains of a Roman amphitheatre are also found at the site and can be also be explored by visitors.
These sites are just some of the archaeological landmarks included in the initiative, with 18 locations in total opening their doors across Tuscany on the first Sunday of each month. The complete list of the sites and opening hours can be found here.
(Aniela Cabut)
