This content was automatically translated. View the original text.
The Tomb of the Roaring Lions at Veio: where Etruscan funerary painting was born
Just a short distance from Rome, hidden within the Parco di Veio, lies the oldest painted Etruscan tomb ever discovered. This is the Tomb of the Roaring Lions (Tomba dei Leoni Ruggenti), a hypogeum dating to around 690 BC that rewrote the history of Italic art. Its discovery in 2006 reads almost like a novel, located thanks to a tip-off from a reformed tomb raider.
The first colours of Etruria
Carved into the tufa rock, the tomb features an entrance corridor — the dromos — with two lateral benches once used for funerary rites. But the real spectacle lies within. The main chamber displays a frieze depicting four lions with their jaws wide open, pure symbolic power. Above them a row of migratory water birds are in flight.
A treasure to be protected
The exceptional nature of the find and the fragility of the paintings — the oldest of their kind anywhere — made for a difficult decision. In order to ensure their preservation, the hypogeum is not open to the public. It is a protected site, studied exclusively by archaeologists. Visitors can, however, admire reconstructions of the tomb and learn about its history through temporary exhibitions or special publications, often available in museum bookshops.
The tomb is not open to visitors for conservation reasons. Information on any temporary exhibitions or special opening events can be found on the websites of the Parco di Veio or relevant Archaeological Superintendency.
