Archaeological area

Below the present-day cloister of the San Lorenzo Cathedral lies an extensive subterranean archaeological area. The whole underground site can be visited following an approximately one-kilometre long circuit of the foundations and historical origins of the city of Perugia. The Etruscan acropolis was once located where the cloister now stands and this site includes its largest temple.

The underground area is accessed by descending approximately 14.5 metres down inside the hill where the acropolis once stood. This area was cleared out and consolidated following the 1997 earthquake. On view are pillars and underground walls of the Etruscan acropolis including an impressive containment wall which was around 15 metres high and 40 metres long. All the Etruscan constructions are of unmortared travertine marble blocks which bear quarrying marks. The underground city also provides access to the hall  where five papal conclaves were held between 1216 and 1305. The final part of the tour features a long section of the decumano, the East-West axis route which ran through the ancient city, bearing clear traces of ruts created by wagons and carriages.