Orvieto is an historical town, but also a fun place to visit. You can enjoy learning about its history, or just stroll through its streets while having an ice cream. The streets are filled with many shops, cafes and restaurants.
Situated on a large mesa protruding above the rolling countryside, Orvieto is a picturesque small town of Etruscan origin which dominates the surrounding fields and vineyards. It is like a fortress that overlooks the valley of the River Paglia from its tufa table.
Orvieto is a very peculiar and interesting town. Its celebrated cathedral “Duomo” is a jewel of the Gothic Art which was built between 1290 and 1320. Its facade of marble and mosaics, and Luca Signorelli’s frescos dating back to 1499 are awe-inspiring. Orvieto's Romanesque church of San Giovenale (1004), the church of Sant’Andrea (with a bell tower dating back to the XII century) and the church of San Francesco (XIII century) all dominate the ancient skyline.
It is worth the effort of visiting the Well of San Patrizio, built between 1527and 1537 on the project of “Antonio da Sangallo”, and its famous double-spiral staircase (62 metres, 248 steps per each flight), designed to go downstairs in one flight and upstairs in the other one without bumping into each other. In the past, this staircase was used to draw water from the well with the help of mules.
The Etruscan origins of Orvieto are documented by the ruins of the Temple of Belvedere (near the Well of San Patrizio), by the Monumental Etruscan Necropolis of the “Crocefisso del Tufo” and of the “Cannicella“ at the foot of the rock; several archaeological finds are exhibited in the Etruscan Museum “Faina” facing the Duomo.
Finally, another particularity of this attractive small town has to be highlighted. The subsoil of the historical centre hide an incredible number of artificial cavities, creating an intricate labyrinth of narrow tunnels, galleries, cisterns, wells, pits, caves and cellars dug out in the course of three thousand years. These underground structures – most of which are still completely intact– preserve a memory of the inhabitants of Orvieto over the several centuries passed.
A guided tour of the "Orvieto Underground" provides a short but memorable account of Orvieto’s unique history. This is ideal for both adults and children. (Please call the following phone number for information: 339 7332764)
The Well of the Cava, too, together with its caves, surely deserves a visit. It owes its initial project to the Etruscans, and is situated in the centre of the medieval area. (Please call the following phone number for information: 0763 342373)