Tomba Orioli, a photo from Viterbo, Lazio

Photographer's Note

The rocky necropolis of Castel d’Asso - Viterbo

The identification of Castel d'Asso with the ancient Axia mentioned by Cicero in the Pro Caecina oration is now confirmed. The city already existed in the Archaic period, as evidenced by the discovery of some architectural terracottas dating back to 550-530 BC. C., which recall the similar and much better known specimens of slabs found in Acquarossa, flourished above all from the 4th century BC. C., as a minor center of the Tarquinian territory. In the III a. C. was subjected, like the whole area, to Roman rule, but, thanks to its position between the Via Clodia and the Via Cassia, it continued to enjoy a certain prosperity. In 87 BC it became part of the municipality of Tarquinia and from the middle of the first century. B.C. it was probably included in the municipality of Sorrina Nova.
The decline began from the early imperial age, until the site was abandoned in late antiquity, during the first barbarian invasions.
Back to being inhabited again in the early Middle Ages, the castle was built in the twelfth century, still visible today on the tufaceous spur to the west of the plateau.
It was the first Etruscan rock necropolis to be explored and made known to the world in 1817 by the Viterbo archaeologist Francesco Orioli.
The Orioli Tomb is located about halfway along the current access road, in the small side valley leaning against the tufaceous cliff that delimits the Vaccareccia plateau. It takes its name from the Viterbo archaeologist who discovered the locality, and dates back to the mid-third century BC. C. and the middle of the II century a. C.
Part of the semi-nut type with an under-faзade compartment, its 17-meter-long sepulchral chamber is the most capacious, in the large side docks thirty-one transversal pits have been obtained on each side, some of which smaller for children, therefore counted as many as sixty-two herringbone spawning.

Fis2, pierrefonds, COSTANTINO, jemaflor, ikeharel, holmertz, PaulVDV, CMJC, adramad, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

lousat (138669) 2022-01-23 12:44

Ciao Silvio,cattura originalissima e fresca di giornata, sia come data che come clima, una bellissima prospettiva molto profonda dalla necropoli di Viterbo, sicuramente interessante, ottima scelta per la tua gita domenicale. Buona serata! Luciano

Fis2 (169821) 2022-01-23 13:37

Witaj Silvio!
A very interesting view.
This the rocky necropolis makes impression, I love it.
Good framing, colors and light.
Very impressive picture!
Well done.
Have a nice ne week my friend.
Krzysztof

pierrefonds (113656) 2022-01-23 15:19

Hi Silvio,

Le cadrage serrй met l'endroit en йvidence. La prise de vue permet de voir les dйtails de la Nйcropole de Castel d'Asso. La lumiиre fait ressortir une partie des couleurs. Bonne soirйe.

Pierre

ifege (47043) 2022-01-23 20:29

Hi Silvio
An excellent photo of this ancient necropolis.
Cheers
Ian

COSTANTINO (115605) 2022-01-23 22:16

Hello dear Silvio
have a nice new week
the snowfall begun and we are awaiting
the weather to be worst today...
lets hope that everything will be ok...
original version
an impressive photo of yours
presenting a part of this
rocky necropolis of Castel d Asso
Viterbo
I red that this city already existed
in the Arhaic period .....wwow!!!!
thanks for your useful notes
regards
Costantino

jemaflor (146360) 2022-01-23 23:00

Hi Silvio,
Original and well taken, impressive view and good depth effect, interesting, tfs.

ikeharel (112497) 2022-01-23 23:57

Quite extraordinary sight inside the tomb-cave, Silvio.
Managed fairly well the light inside to show the place in depth under the ground.
Buona giornata,
Ike

holmertz (102050) 2022-01-24 0:36

Hello Silvio,
A very original and fascinating picture. Considering that photo conditions must have been rather hopeless, you managed an amazingly clear image.
Best regards,
Gert

PaulVDV (62804) 2022-01-24 0:43

Hello Silvio,
A very remarkable picture of the Orioli Tomb carved into the rock.
Because the upper part of the vault seems to be on eye level, I think you had to bend down to visit this necropolis.
Very interesting and impressive.
Best regards, Paul

pajaran (114995) 2022-01-24 1:29

Pozdrav.

Lep pogled, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Lepa stara arhitektura, dobro pokazana sa lepim bojama, kontrastom i perspektivom.
Dobar rad, lepa fotografija.
Lepa Tomba Orioli.
Interesantna kamena grobnica.

Zelim vam lep i uspesan dana, sve najbolje u novoj nedelji koja je pocela.
Paja

mkamionka (73470) 2022-01-24 3:56

Ciao Silvio,
Quite an extraordinary structure of this tomb.
Very good idea to share it. The geometry is quite unexpected.
Very interesting reportage,
M

Royaldevon (85640) 2022-01-24 5:27

Ciao Caro Silvio,

This is indeed a very ancient place, conceived millennia ago and remarkable in its size and construction!
The light was very difficult for you, yet you managed to capture clear details of the tomb, the central passageway leading succinctly inwards.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

CMJC (5095) 2022-01-24 6:52 [Comment]

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jhm (211734) 2022-01-24 10:44

Ciao Silvio,

What a lovely panorama view with cave.
Formerly without modern material, big prestations, incredible
Composition and presentation are pleasant to look at.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

emka (157280) 2022-01-25 0:06

Hello Silvio, Interesting ancient tomb. I have never seen anything similar.

Best regards Malgo

adramad (72590) 2022-01-26 13:06

Hello Silvio.
Sensational composition and an immense pleasure for us to be able to enjoy the vision of this ancient tomb, with a remarkable size, for many burials, a great work excavated in the rock.
In this wonderful image, the sharpness, exposure, colors and POV are fantastic.
Enjoy a good day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

jmdias (114340) 2022-01-29 11:56

silvio

a very strange cave with repetitive cuts in the stone. very interesting and intriguing.

take care

jorge

mcmtanyel (67731) 2022-02-11 20:41

Hello Silvio,
This is an interesting composition with repetitions and geometric shapes. I think you could turn the exposure down a bit.
Regards,
MT