Blera
Discovering Blera: a municipality with Etruscan origins
Blera is an Italian municipality in the province of Viterbo, in the heart of Lazio. Although not a very popular tourist destination, the municipality has a unique charm thanks to its history and geographic location.
Physical geography
The municipality of Blera is located at an altitude of 260 meters above sea level and extends over a very picturesque hilly territory. In particular, the town is situated on a small hill that makes it visible from afar and offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. The climate of Blera is classified as a zone D, with an annual rainfall of 1900 GR/G.
Origins of the name
The toponym of Blera has very ancient origins and dates back to the classical and late age. The etymology of the name is not yet entirely clear, but it is thought to derive from ancient Greek "Blêrai" or from Latin "Plaise-ra". In any case, the name of Blera is closely linked to the history of Etruscan civilization, which played a very important role in the area.
History
The origins of Blera date back to the 8th-7th century BC, a period in which important settlements of Etruscan civilization developed in the surrounding area. In particular, Blera was in a strategic position between the cities of Tarquinia and Cerveteri, which made it an important crossroads of commercial itineraries. During the archaic period (7th-5th century BC), the municipality of Blera reached great prosperity, as demonstrated by the vast necropolises that can still be visited today.
Subsequently, with the Roman conquest of the area, Blera lost some of its splendor but continued to be an important transit point thanks to the Clodia Road, which crossed it. From this period, the remains of two Roman bridges are still visible: the Devil's Bridge and the Rocca Bridge. With the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Blera entered a phase of decadence that lasted until the Middle Ages.
Despite this, the municipality of Blera maintained an important ecclesiastical role, thanks to the presence of the diocese. In fact, the territory of Blera was the seat of one of the first dioceses in the area, with its own bishops from 457 to 1093, when it was merged with the diocese of Tuscania. In 1192, finally, the diocese of Blera was definitively unified with that of Viterbo.
What to see in Blera
Despite its millennia-long history, Blera is not a very touristy destination and is often overlooked by visitors in favor of other more well-known Etruscan cities in the area, such as Tarquinia or Cerveteri. However, the municipality of Blera offers many places of historical and landscape interest that are worth a visit.
In particular, archaeology enthusiasts can visit the numerous necropolises that surround the town, including the Monterozzi Necropolis, one of the largest and most important in the area. There are also the remains of important Roman monuments, such as the Devil's Bridge and the Rocca Bridge.
For those looking for a more relaxing destination, Blera offers the opportunity to take walks in nature, enjoying the view of the surrounding valley. Don't miss the historic center of the town, with its narrow streets and ancient tuff stone buildings.
In short, Blera is a perfect destination for those who want to discover the millennia-old history of the area and enjoy a peaceful stay in the hills of Lazio.
