Tuscania (not to be confused with the region of Toscana, or Tuscany) is a picturesque village in the Tuscia, an area that today coincides with the province of Viterbo (Lazio, central Italy), about an hour and 40 minutes from Rome. Tuscania still carries the ancient traces of Etruscan civilization as well as those of its medieval history, and is also famous for the lavender fields that surround it. 

Tuscania, like many other towns in the Viterbo area, stands on top of a promontory of tuff rock. According to legend, it was founded by Ascanio, son of Aeneas, on the spot where 12 dog puppies were found. The ancient Romans called it Tuscana, city of the Tusci, the name by which the Etruscans were called (in fact, the name ‘Tuscia’ once comprised most territories under Etruscan influence, which included Tuscany, Umbria and northern Lazio).