Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Colombia
Peru
Uruguay
Germany
Belgium
Spain
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Ireland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
Switzerland
Archaeological site · Perúgia, Úmbria
Ipogeo dei Volumni
Underground Etruscan tomb of the Velimna family, from the 2nd century BC, carved into the rock like a house, with travertine urns. It is located in the Necropoli del Palazzone, about 5 km from the centre.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Ipogeo dei Volumni
The Ipogeo dei Volumni is the burial chamber of the Etruscan Velimna family, called Volumnia by the Romans. It was discovered in 1840 during road works and is one of the best-preserved Etruscan tombs in central Italy. The most accepted dating is the second half of the 2nd century BC.
The tomb was cut into the rock imitating a Roman and Etruscan house: a staircase descends to an atrium, with a ceiling imitating wooden beams, and rooms open around it. In the main room are the family's travertine urns, with that of the patriarch, Arnth Velimna, lying on a banquet couch.
The walls and ceiling bear heads of Medusa, snakes and other protective reliefs. The ipogeo is part of the Necropoli del Palazzone, which includes dozens of other smaller tombs outdoors and a small antiquarium with urns and objects found in the excavations.
The complex lies in a more modern area, on the road out towards Ponte San Giovanni, which surprises visitors who expect an isolated site in the countryside.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 hour for the ipogeo, the necropolis and the antiquarium.
Best time
In the morning, combined with the rest of the day in the centre of Perúgia. The interior is cool throughout the year.
How to get there
It is on the Via Assisana, in the Ponte San Giovanni area, about 5 kilometres southeast of the centre. The simplest way is by taxi or car; there is also a regional train to Ponte San Giovanni station, about 1 kilometre away.
Tip
Check opening hours before you go, because the site may be closed on some days of the week. For those driving to Assis, it can be a stop on the way.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Ipogeo dei Volumni
What is the Ipogeo dei Volumni?
It is the underground tomb of the Etruscan Velimna family, from the 2nd century BC, carved into the rock like a house, with the family's stone urns.
How to get to the Ipogeo dei Volumni without a car?
By taxi from the center of Perúgia or by regional train to Ponte San Giovanni, then walking about 1 kilometer.
Is it worth visiting if you've already seen the Pozzo Etrusco?
Yes. They are different experiences: the well shows water engineering, and the ipogeo shows how the Etruscans treated their dead.