A small Etruscan town in northern Lazio, Blera preserves the heritage of an ancient settlement whose name likely derives from the Etruscan personal name Plaise.
At a glance
Blera is a modest municipality in the province of Viterbo with a population of 3,316. The town’s origins reach back to Etruscan times, evident in its archaeological record and the linguistic traces embedded in its very name.
History
The etymology of Blera is thought to derive from the Etruscan Plaise-ra, meaning “the (city) of Plaise,” where Plaise was an Etruscan personal name. Evidence for this name appears in the noble Plaisena family of Orvieto, whose three tombs have been discovered in one of the local necropolises. A fourth-century BC fuseruola bearing the name was also found in a tomb in Genoa, further attesting to the historical significance of this Etruscan connection.
What you see
The town’s archaeological importance lies primarily in its necropolises, which contain tombs and artefacts from the Etruscan period. These burial sites represent the main physical record of Blera’s ancient settlement.
Cultural significance
Blera’s significance lies in its Etruscan heritage. The town serves as a marker of Etruscan settlement patterns in the Viterbo region and contributes to our understanding of Etruscan nomenclature and social structures through its archaeological record and epigraphic evidence.
Key facts
- Address: Via dei Pozzi, 34, 01010 Blera (VT)
- Coordinates: 42.2728408, 12.0278529
- Phone: 0761470093
- Website: https://www.halleyweb.com/c056007/hh/index.php
- Population: 3,316
Practical information
Opening hours and entry fees are not listed; check the official website or contact the municipality directly for visiting information.
Getting there
Blera is located in the province of Viterbo, in the Lazio region. For specific directions and transport options, consult a mapping application or the official municipal website.
See the place
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
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