Portonaccio

Just outside the city of Rome, the archaeological site of Portonaccio sits near where the ancient Etruscan city of Veii once flourished. Veii, also known as Veio, was among the most powerful Etruscan cities until it was conquered by the Romans in 396 BC.

The Temple of Apollo and a Legendary Discovery

Portonaccio became famous as the location of the Temple of Apollo. It was here, in 1916, that archaeologists found the renowned Apollo of Veii statue. This significant discovery helped reveal a great deal about Etruscan art and religious practices. Today, only a few ruins of the temple remain visible at the site.

Artefacts and the Etruscan Museum

Many valuable artefacts unearthed from Portonaccio have been moved to the Etruscan Museum at Villa Giulia in Rome. This museum in Rome’s north center now holds most of the important finds, giving visitors a closer look at Etruscan history and culture.

Exploring the Surrounding Park

The area around Portonaccio is part of the Parco di Veio, a national park that contains more Etruscan ruins. However, many of these ruins are tucked away and difficult to reach, leaving much of the ancient city’s story still hidden in the landscape.