Pyrgi and the Castle of Santa Severa

The history of this location dates back to the bronze age, a period in which it was possible to ascertain the existence of a small colony to the south of the castle, near the sea, which probable formed a point of reference for navigators at that time. In the VII century BC the favorable environmental conditions made it possible to build a fixed dock; during archaic times (VI century BC) Pyrgi, which was connected to Caere (Cerveteri) by a monumental road, was a commercial dock of primary importance, open to traffic from the entire Mediterranean basin. Along the outskirts of the town, there is a very ancient Sanctuary that spreads out for over 10 acres which is mentioned by various sources and includes the temples to Etruscan and Phoenician divinities. The three famous gold sheets inscribed in Etruscan and Punic, which are a direct testimony of the deep ties that existed between the Etruscans of Cerveteri and the Carthaginians at the end of the VI century, were found while digging in this Sanctuary. In the III century BC, with the Roman dominion over the territory of Cerite, Pyrgi became a sea colony, a great rectangular fortress built over part of the Etruscan built-up area. It continued to exist until late into the ancient period (V-VI century BC); during this period it was transformed into a large villa that became imperial property. The higher medieval period saw the development of the castle and village of Santa Severa (Pyrgian martyr of the III century BC). The "Norman" tower was built in the XI century and the castle in the XIV century. The village next to the castle houses the civic museum of Santa Severa.