Chiusi, Lat. Clusium, Etruscan Chamars, town (1991 pop. 9,103), in Tuscany, central Italy, in the Apennines. Chiusi was one of the 12 sovereign towns of ancient Etruria; its semilegendary king Lars Porsena is said to have marched from there against Rome (c.500 B.C.). The town was taken by Rome (c.225 B.C.). Many Etruscan ruins have been found, including tombs dating from the 5th cent. B.C., and there is an excellent Etruscan museum. There are also Christian catacombs.

For the city in the province of Arezzo, see Chiusi della Verna

Chiusi (Latin: Clusium; Etruscan: Clevsin; Umbrian: Camars) is a town and comune in province of Siena, Tuscany, Italy.

History

For ancient history, see Clusium.

It was one of the more powerful among the Etruscan 12‑city confederation. Chiusi went into the Roman orbit in the 3rd century BC and took part to the Social War.

In 540 AD it was occupied by the Ostrogoths and was later seat of Lombard duchy. From the 11th century it was under the rule of the local bishop, and was later contended by Orvieto and, from 1231, Siena, belonging to the latter until 1556, when it was annexed to the Grand duchy of Tuscany.

Main sights

The lowlands around Chiusi are a treasure trove of tombs for this civilization. The Etruscan Museum of Chiusi is one of the most important repositories of Etruscan remains in Italy.

Other sights include:

• The Romanesque Cathedral (Duomo) of San Secondiano, built around 560 AD over a pre-existing basilica, and renovated in the 13th century. It has a nave and two aisles supported by antique columns. The Sacrament Chapel houses a Nativity and Saints by Bernardino Fugai. It has a separated bell tower which was turned into a defence tower in 1585. Under the tower is a Roman swim pool dating from the 1st century BC.
• The so-called "Labyrinth of Porsenna", a series of tunnels under the town, built in the 6th-5th century BC and probably utilized in Etruscan-Roman times for drainage of rain waters. According to Pliny the Elder (Naturalis historia, XXXVI, XIX, 91-93), the Labyrinth was part of a monument including the sepulchre of the King Porsenna.

See also

• Porsenna

Transportation

Chius is served by a gate on the A1 Highway. It has also a station on the line Rome-Florence (Chiusi-Chianciano Terme).

External links

• Official website