At the entrance to the city, not far from the Pozzo di S. Patrizio and near Piazza Cahen, you can admire the remains of an ancient Etruscan temple known as the Tempio del Belvedere, perhaps dedicated to the divinity Tinia (the Jupiter of the Etruscans). The podium and the monumental entrance staircase of the original temple are still perfectly preserved, while only the bases remain of the four columns that were to frame the sacred hall. Other architectural remains of the temple, such as fragments of decorative friezes are kept in the Museo Archeologico di Faina.
Together with the Necropolises of del Crocifisso and Cannicella, the temple forms part of the archaeological area outside the city of Fanum Voltumnae, clear evidence of the importance of the Etruscans in the Orvieto area.
To the west of Orvieto’s cliff, in a place called ‘Campo della Fiera’, archaeological excavations are still currently investigating the surrounding area. The discovery of finds of various kinds such as coins, jewels, remains of buildings, Greek friezes and ceramics, has led scholars to identify the area at the foot of Orvieto as the famous Fanum Voltumnae cited by ancient writers, making it one of the most important sacred and political sites in the Etruscan world. The sanctuary was in fact dedicated to the god Voltumna and was the federal seat of the twelve cities of the Etruscan league. Tito Livio describes not only the religious festivals celebrated in this sacred place but also worldly and political events such as fairs, markets, games and theatrical performances, as well its role as the site for the election of military commanders.