Orvieto

travel wonder in Italy

Why Orvieto
is special

This ancient town picturesquely sits an a large, flat outcropping with sheer cliffs - and has a marvelous cathedral.

Tips & insights on

the Orvieto

The Duomo (cathedral) is Orvieto's crown jewel. It's especially renowned for its superlative mosaic, statute and stain-glass clad facade - and for its fresco-adorned San Brizio Chapel (which gave Michelangelo some ideas for his Sistine Chapel).

St. Patrick's Well is another attraction. Its deep shaft was dug in the 16th century to provide water in the event of a seize. To speed water-fetching, the architect cleverly designed double-helix style stairways - one for the up, the other for the down mule traffic.

You can descend the some 250 stairs (but must climb them back up).

Other points of interest include a pre-Roman Etruscan necropolis. There is also a Etruscan museum. The town's narrow Medieval streets and alleys provide another adventure.

Orvieto is famous for its ceramics. Some are garish, some not. The subtle one I purchased won a permanent place in my home.

The outcropping is a tuff, a formation of volcanic ash compressed through geological time. Erosion gave it its upside elongated tub shape.

Even today the tuff is eroding slowly. However, major conservation engineering projects have decelerated the natural process.

View my other gold,

silver & bronze medal

winners in Italy

My Italian

phrase guide

for travelers

What every visitor should know.

Italian cuisine guide

I hope your Italy travel dreams come true - and that 

my Orvieto page helps you enjoy your vacation, tour or trip

©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications