The village was founded in 1236 by the people of nearby Cerveteri. It developed over a pre-existing settlement and its location was chosen for its ideal position, overlooking the valley. A gate constructed against the cliff is the entrance to this small enchanting village, with narrow streets excavated in the rock and a delightful little piazza on which stands the Church of the Madonna di Ceri, built on the site of the ancient place of worship of the goddess Vesta.
Restyled several times from the 11th to the early 12th century, this church houses frescoes depicting scenes from the Old Testament and from the life of St. Silvestro. Near Cerveteri there is an Etruscan burial site, the Necropoli Etrusca del Sorbo e della Banditaccia, claimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
In the area known as the Vignali you can see the Porta Coperta (the covered door), which leads into the Necropolis of Cava della Pozzolana. Very picturesque are the many cascades that can be seen while travelling towards Fosso della Mola. A real paradise for those who love nature and hiking. Interesting sites are Palazzo Torlonia and the Church of San Felice.
The Necropolis of Banditaccia is the largest of those that have survived from the ancient world. It is set in a beautiful park with trails that wind uphill through the tombs. Sound and light effects as well as spectacular 3D effects make the experience of visiting this site immersive. Inside the new visitors’ centre you can see a faithful replica of the “Sarcofago degli Sposi” (sarcophagus of the newlyweds) by Giorgetto Giugiaro.
The locally-grown grapes are employed in the production of white wines, such as Trebbiano, Malvasia and Chardonnay. A recent discovery is an ancient wine varietal, the “giacchè”, from which a full-bodied wine with an intense flavour is made. Ceri si also known for its artichokes, peaches, honey, truffles sourced from the Ceriti Mountains and production of local olive oil.