Murlo and Vescovado di Murlo

Excavation takes place on a forested hill in the Commune of Murlo, outside the town of Vescovado di Murlo (pop. 1200). We are located approximately 25 km south of Siena, and 90 km south of Florence. We reside in a villa across the street from the Albergo di Murlo, the local hotel owned by the Rubegni Family. Participants are housed in double, triple or quadruple rooms, each with its own bathroom and shower.  We have a large common kitchen and dining room located below the building.

Meals

All meals are provided Monday through Friday, and are prepared by our excavation chef. Participants who are assigned to the magazzino also help with preparation of meals, assisting with breakfast and dinner preparation and cleanup; many have left with a new appreciation for cooking and Italian food. We make every effort to meet the dietary restrictions of participants, and there is always a vegetarian option available.  Most also take advantage of the various local restaurants for favorites, such as pici al tartufo (handmade pasta with truffles) and pizza alla diavola (pizza with spicy sausage).

Recreation

As a 60+-member excavation in a town of 1200, we significantly change the dynamics of the community during our stay in Vescovado. Luckily, we are well liked in town, and are invited to the many festivals and events put on in the comune. Traditionally, we are in town for various festivals and concerts, as well as wine tastings in the medieval town of Murlo. 

Down time is utilized by participants in many ways - catching up on sleep, practicing Italian with native speakers, or reading a good book from the excavation library. There are also many opportunities available for local travel – walks, bike rides, and hikes – within a short walk from the dig house. There also is a pool at the hotel, across the street from our dig house, that can be used for a nominal fee.

Travel

The weekends are free for excavation members to do as they desire. Excavation members frequently have used the time off on weekends to explore Tuscany, as well as locations further afield such as Rome, Pompeii, Venice, and Naples. Buses run from Vescovado to Siena, where you can catch trains or buses to anywhere in Italy.