Etruscan Tumulus of Mucellena in Casole d'Elsa

The Etruscan tumulus of Mucellena, in the territory of Casole d'Elsa, is one of the most ancient testimonies of the area. The tomb, probably dating back to the 6th century B.C., rises among the woods of the Montagnola Senese, and can be reached by a simple walk that from the main road follows the path through the forest.

The tumuls stands on a small clearing and has a structure above ground, covered by trees. The entrance, which is slightly lower than ground level, leads into a large rectangular room, where you can see traces of side seats and the central pillar, which supports the vault.

The sepulchre, perhaps belonging to an important family, consists of six funerary cells that open onto the main room, two on each of the three sides; in some of these rooms one can see how the roof has been shaped to reproduce the dintel ceiling of the houses.

The natural area surrounding Casole d'Elsa has long been inhabited by the Etruscan people, as witnessed by the Civic Archaeological Museum and the Collegiate Church, as well as by the tumuli - mostly underground - that have been discovered throughout the territory.

The village of Casole d'Elsa and the tumulus of Mucellena are part of the Cammino d'Etruria Centro, a route that winds between Volterra and Chiusi, following the traces left by the Etruscans.