# Montalto di Castro

> Italian comune

**Wikidata**: [Q175956](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q175956)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montalto_di_Castro)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/montalto-di-castro

## Summary
Montalto di Castro is an Italian *comune* (municipality) located in the Province of Viterbo, within the Lazio region of central Italy. It is known for its historical Etruscan heritage, modern energy infrastructure, and coastal settlement of Montalto Marina, serving as a cultural and economic hub in the Maremma area.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Situated in the Province of Viterbo, Lazio, Italy (coordinates: 42.3514° N, 11.6078° E).
- **Population**: 8,985 (latest data), with variations recorded as 8,978 and 8,725 in prior years.
- **Administrative Classification**: A *comune* (municipality) of Italy, governed under Italian municipal law.
- **Historical Significance**: Nearby Vulci, an ancient Etruscan city, features the François Tomb, a renowned painted tomb discovered in 1857.
- **Infrastructure**:
  - **Transport**: Home to the Montalto di Castro railway station.
  - **Energy**: Hosts the Alessandro Volta thermal power station and the Montalto di Castro Photovoltaic Power Station.
- **Settlements**: Includes Montalto Marina (coastal area) and Pescia Romana (another local settlement).
- **Website**: Official municipal site at [http://www.comune.montaltodicastro.vt.it/](http://www.comune.montaltodicastro.vt.it/).
- **Wikidata ID**: Q38 (Italy) with 52 sitelinks across languages.

## FAQs
**Where is Montalto di Castro located?**
Montalto di Castro is in the Province of Viterbo, part of the Lazio region in central Italy. It lies near the Tyrrhenian coast, approximately 100 km northwest of Rome.

**What is the historical importance of Montalto di Castro?**
The area is historically linked to the Etruscan civilization, particularly the ancient city of Vulci, where the François Tomb—a significant archaeological site with intricate frescoes—was uncovered in 1857.

**What are the key economic or infrastructural features of Montalto di Castro?**
The *comune* hosts two major energy facilities: the Alessandro Volta thermal power plant and a large photovoltaic power station. It also has a functional railway station connecting it to regional transport networks.

**What settlements are part of Montalto di Castro?**
The municipality includes Montalto Marina (a coastal village) and Pescia Romana, both contributing to local tourism and agriculture.

**How is Montalto di Castro governed?**
As a *comune*, it operates under Italy’s municipal system, with local governance structures typical of Italian towns, including a mayor (*sindaco*) and municipal council.

## Why It Matters
Montalto di Castro bridges Italy’s ancient and modern identities. Its proximity to Vulci ties it to Etruscan history, offering archaeological insights into pre-Roman civilization. Simultaneously, its energy infrastructure—particularly the photovoltaic plant—positions it as a participant in Italy’s renewable energy transition. The coastal settlement of Montalto Marina also supports local tourism and fishing economies, making the *comune* a microcosm of Italy’s cultural, historical, and economic layers.

## Notable For
- **Etruscan Heritage**: Direct association with Vulci and the François Tomb, a critical site for studying Etruscan art and burial practices.
- **Energy Production**: Home to both a thermal power station (Alessandro Volta) and one of Italy’s notable photovoltaic plants, reflecting diverse energy strategies.
- **Coastal and Rural Duality**: Balances agricultural inland areas (e.g., Pescia Romana) with maritime activity (Montalto Marina).
- **Transport Hub**: The Montalto di Castro railway station facilitates regional connectivity within Lazio.
- **Cultural Continuity**: Represents the enduring legacy of Etruscan, Roman, and medieval influences in modern Italian municipal life.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Montalto di Castro is located in the northern part of Lazio, within the Province of Viterbo. Its coordinates (42.3514° N, 11.6078° E) place it in the Maremma region, characterized by rolling hills, agricultural plains, and proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea. The *comune* covers an area that includes the main town, the coastal hamlet of Montalto Marina, and the inland settlement of Pescia Romana. Administratively, it functions as a standard Italian *comune*, with local governance responsible for public services, urban planning, and cultural preservation.

### Historical and Archaeological Significance
The territory of Montalto di Castro is historically tied to the Etruscan city of Vulci, one of the most powerful cities of the Etruscan civilization. The François Tomb, discovered in 1857 within Vulci’s Ponte Rotto Necropolis, is a highlight of Etruscan archaeology, featuring vivid frescoes depicting mythological and historical scenes. This connection underscores the area’s role in pre-Roman Italy and its ongoing importance for archaeological research.

### Infrastructure and Economy
Montalto di Castro’s economy is supported by both traditional and modern sectors:
- **Energy**: The Alessandro Volta thermal power station and the Montalto di Castro Photovoltaic Power Station are key industrial assets. The latter, in particular, aligns with Italy’s renewable energy goals.
- **Transport**: The Montalto di Castro railway station provides passenger and freight connections, linking the area to Viterbo, Rome, and other regional centers.
- **Agriculture and Tourism**: The inland areas focus on farming (cereals, olive oil, wine), while Montalto Marina attracts visitors to its beaches and maritime activities.

### Settlements and Localities
- **Montalto Marina**: A coastal fraction (*frazione*) of the *comune*, known for its beaches, small port, and summer tourism.
- **Pescia Romana**: An inland village with a rural character, contributing to the agricultural output of the municipality.
- **Località Torre di Maremma**: A smaller locality within the *comune*, reflecting the dispersed settlement pattern typical of the Maremma region.

### Cultural and Modern Context
Montalto di Castro embodies the layered history of central Italy, from Etruscan and Roman eras to its present-day role in energy and tourism. The municipality’s official website ([comune.montaltodicastro.vt.it](http://www.comune.montaltodicastro.vt.it/)) serves as a resource for residents and visitors, providing information on local services, events, and administrative procedures. Its inclusion in Wikidata (with 52 sitelinks) ensures global visibility for researchers and travelers interested in its heritage and infrastructure.

### Related Entities
- **Vulci**: The ancient Etruscan city, now an archaeological park, located near Montalto di Castro.
- **François Tomb**: A painted tomb in Vulci, pivotal for understanding Etruscan funerary art.
- **Province of Viterbo**: The broader administrative division governing Montalto di Castro, known for its thermal springs and medieval towns.
- **Lazio Region**: The Italian region encompassing Montalto di Castro, with Rome as its capital.

This structured overview captures Montalto di Castro’s multifaceted identity—rooted in antiquity yet engaged with contemporary economic and environmental challenges.

## References

1. Indice alfabetico di tutti i luoghi dello Stato Pontificio
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. MusicBrainz
5. Italian National Institute of Statistics
6. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html)
7. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it)
8. GeoNames
9. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224)
10. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia
11. Seismic classification in Italy
12. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)