Almanacco - Food and Wine in Orvieto

Porano

Porano is home to some of the most important frescoed Etruscan tombs ever discovered: the Hescanas tomb in the necropolis of Molinella and the two Gollini tombs in the necropolis of Settecamini. The old town, at 444 metres above sea-level, still has the aspect of a medieval fortified village. Biology and every year an international horse show takes place in its park. The production of wine and oil are important features in Porano and the town also boasts a long tradition of crafts – lace and pottery.

The etruscan’s garden

Porano has conserved the typical aspect of a medieval fortified village and its original perimeter can still be distinguished thanks to the town walls which are still partially intact and to the houses which were built around the boundary of the town. The very heart of the town is medieval in origin, but there are also many fine examples of sixteenth century architecture. The name Porano is Latin in origin and derives from the word “porro” which means “further on”, that is, “outpost”, however the discovery of the Golini and Hescanas tombs, of undeniable archaeological relevance, indicate that in the Etruscan period, the settlement was one of great importance.

Castel Rubello and Villa Paolina

Just outside the old town of Porano you can admire the fortification of Castel Rubello. Built in the 13th century, it belonged to the nearby town of Orvieto. The fortification has been the scene of many battles, including the struggle for power between the Malcorini and Muffati families in the 14th century and later, in the 15th century, between the towns of Ladislao and Orvieto. Several buildings form the fortification from which four towers rise. Villa Paolina, built in the 17th century, was once home to the Gualtiero family, but now houses the scientific laboratories of the CNR Institute of Agro-environmental and Forest Biology. Every year, an international horse show takes place in its park.

The Etruscans

The area around Porano has been the location of many archaeological finds dating back to the Etruscan period. Most of these discoveries have been made in the sites chosen by the aristocracy of the ancient Volsinii (4th – 3rd centuries b.C.) for the construction of their magnificent frescoed villas and tombs. The Etruscan tombs discovered in Settecamini (Golini Tombs 1 and 2 – named after the archaeologist who made the discovery) and in Molinella (the Tomb of the Hescanas) are the only two frescoed tombs ever found in the area once inhabited by the Volsinii. The representation of “the banquet of the gods”, with its series of mythological scenes, gives us insight into Etruscan eating habits and many of their social customs.