The Hypogeum of the Volumnus Family is one of the most famous and significant Etruscan tombs ever found. It dates back to a period comprised between the III and II Century B.C. It is located in the Perugian district of Ponte San Giovanni, just outside the city, and is part of the archaeological site of Palazzone which includes about 200 Etruscan tombs.
The tomb was found in 1840, while carrying-out excavation works for a new road. The importance of such discovery was immediately clear and attracted several national and international visitors.
The tomb belonged to the Volumnus Familiy, and it seems that it had been used until the First Century B.C. It can be reached with a staircase called dromos, terminating in a stone door with inscriptions that provide information about the facility and its construction. The tomb is composed of 10 rooms. The first one is the tablinium, there are seven urns, six Etruscan and one Roman. In the middle we find the most important one, belonging to the forefather of the Arnth Velimna Aules family (Arunte Volumnio), a majestic travertine artefact with a statue depicting the man in a semi-recumbent posture. On his sides, two winged demons (lase) guard the entrance to the Haeds. On the right there are four more urns, belonging to the grandfather, father, and brothers, portraying the deceased and the head of Medusa.
At Arnth‘s left sits his daughter Veilia adorned with various jewels Next to it the urn of Publio Volumnio, depicting a heavenly garden. The latter is the only Roman one.
The tomb is constituted of 10 rooms, a clear sign of the original intention of making it the family sepulchre for generations to come. Unfortunately future historical and political circumstances would not allow it.
The roof of the tomb echoes geometries typical of aristocratic residencies and there are funeral decorations and depictions of war clothes.
Right in front of the main entrance sits a collection of urns found in the necropolis, in other tombs belonging to other families. Almost all of them are made of Perugian travertine. It seems that they were all painted with various scenes: some with the griffon, others with representations of Greek mythology.
In the rest of the necropolis there are smaller but equally beautiful tombs.