Orvieto , Italy

View of Orvieto from Autostrada

On our way to Rome we noticed this amazing little town perched on top of one of the many hill tops we saw along the Autostrada. It looked so spectacular that we all decided to take a detour and stop there on our trip back from Rome heading toward Florence. This breathtakingly positioned walled town is perched on a rock plateau 300 meters above the ground. Precariously balanced on the edge of the cliff, it commands an inspiring view of the local farmhouses, monasteries and vineyards below. After riding the funicular (inclined railway) from the base to the top, it's hard to imagine that hundreds of years ago the only way up was on the back of a donkey or on foot.

Once at the top, you will marvel at the incredible feats of human determination and religious aspiration that created one of Italy’s finest Romanesque –Gothic cathedrals, Il Duomo. Started in 1263 and completed some 200 years later, its spectacular colored facade glistens in the sun along with detailed carvings depicting the Old and New Testament.

To really appreciate the splendor of Orvieto’s location, we meandered further toward the western part of town to the church of San Giovenale , where we were able to see views of the surrounding countryside. The church also, offers its own gifts with beautifully detailed and numerous frescoes from the 15^th and 16^th centuries.

But the mystery of Orvieto continues well below the surface of its rock. The cliff on which the city stands is riddled with a labyrinth of artificial tunnels, galleries, cisterns, quarries and cellars. One such antiquity is Saint Patrick’s Well ( Pozzo di san Patrizio) which was built between 1527-1537 to provide the town with a water supply in case of attack. It is famous for it’s double helix (corkscrew) stair case. If you have the stamina, you can walk 60 meters down the well via a 248-step staircase and come back up a separate staircase without retracing your steps.

Orvieto’s locals are also renowned for their art and ceramics, which are as much a part of their heritage as their cathedral. At the beginning of the 6^th century, Orvieto’s economic prosperity was largely due to its ceramics and bronze work. Today, Orvieto’s economy is still dependent on tourist demand for it’s pottery. Their hand-painted handicrafts include ceramic plates, bowls, cups even candle stick holders, all made in either traditional or modern designs. Trust me there were loads to choose from. Orvieto, which is seemingly perched far above the everyday world, has in fact so much to offer and is located just a few minutes off of the Autostrada. Whether you are drawn in by the landscape, history or ceramics, Orvieto offers a spectacular stop on your way to or from Rome.

Around The Town

The Orvieto Duomo




More pictures of the Town

The San Brizio Chapel