On your next Livorno tours, you should take time to visit the Etruscan tombs, Livorno. Populonia is on central Italy's western coast (on Monte Massoncello Peninsula), close to Piombono and PortoFerraio, Elba's nearest port and capital respectively. Populonia was the only one of the ancient Etruscan cities that was built on the coast. Populonia specialized in smelting of iron from ore from the island of Elba and copper and tin of the mainland. Elba has been referref to in the Aeneid as "the island rich in iron ore and mines". The Etruscans probaly named Populonia or Fufluna or Pupluna after Fufluns, the Etruscan wine god. It was the first Erturian to make silver coins. The Lombards destroyed Populonia in 570 AD. The city was positioned on top of a hill surrounded by the beautiful sea waters of the Gulf of Baratti. Now within the medieval walls is a small village with some good shops. The fifteenth century fortress was built with stones from Etruscan remains and commands an excellent view of the Tuscan archipelago. This is the city of Etruscan tombs, Livorno.
Toward the end of the nineteenth century, tombs were discovered in a well preserved state in some areas of Populonia which was followed by some official excavation and unauthorized digging, extent of which is unknown. It is believed that a necropolis existed in the town. And in the First World War, the Italians faced with an iron shortage started exploiting the iron from the 35 to 40 per cent rich slag deposits of the Populonia of old, an industry which flourished for decades. The exercise brought to light Etruscan tombs, Livorno which though had collapsed under the weight of the slag nevertheless yielded a rich haul of Etruscan artifacts in a good state of preservation. In Populonia, a museum shows Etruscan and Roman archaeological finds from the sea bed and excavations in the town (The Apollo of Piombino statue at the Louvre of Paris was recovered from Gulf of Baratti waters). Populonia is 76 kilometers from Livorno. To reach Populonia, one leaves for Grosetto on the SS2 and after 56 kilometers, exits for San Vincenzo. One then continue towards Elba's nearest port, Piombino and 13 kilometers later, heads right for Baratti and Populania.
The Etruscan tombs, Livorno shall always remain one of the quieter Tourist Attractions in Livorno. You are requested to visit it while in Livorno.
Travel.mapsofworld.com provides description of Etruscan tombs, Livorno
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