Tomb of the Leopards

The Tomb of the Leopards is an Etruscan burial chamber in the Monterozzi necropolis near Tarquinia, Italy. The chamber contains detailed frescoes depicting a funeral banquet scene with three couples reclining while drinking wine among laurel branches.

The burial chamber was discovered in 1875 and dates from 480 BCE, when Etruscan civilization reached its height. The paintings belong to the best-preserved examples of Etruscan funerary art from that era.

The walls display symmetrical leopards on the trapezoidal space facing the entrance, along with dancers wearing traditional Etruscan tebenna garments. These draped cloaks appear in the paintings as markers of social standing, offering a direct view into the material culture of the Etruscan people.

The burial chamber is accessible through the archaeological site of Tarquinia, and related artifacts are exhibited at the National Archaeological Museum. The chamber lies underground, so visitors should be prepared for uneven steps and limited lighting.

The ceiling features a central terracotta beam design with a checkerboard pattern, while the frescoes show men and women dining between olive trees. The alternating red and white squares mimic architectural elements used in real Etruscan homes.

Location: Tarquinia

Inception: 480 BCE

Part of: Necropolis of Monterozzi

GPS coordinates: 42.24860,11.77160

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30