Orvieto is one of those medieval hill towns that I had always wanted to see, and once I arrived, I wasn’t disappointed. Perched high on a hilltop in Umbria, Orvieto is an awesome sight when approaching by train.
Since this city was built on a tufa, there is a funicular that transports visitors to the top of the hill, and the cost of a ticket is €1.30 per person (€2.60 round-trip). A total bargain.
Once there, of course I walked the winding streets until I reached the highest point and was overwhelmed by the amazing and spectacular views I had.
Incredibly beautiful and tranquil, this scene of the green, rolling hills below and in the distance was mesmerizing. The stunning view from here was phenomenal.
The immense Orvieto Cathedral with its gleaming mosaics and Gothic and Romanesque architecture was breathtaking. The doors, which were originally wooden, were replaced with huge bronze doors in 1970.
Dating back to the construction process in 1290, this magnificent structure became one of the most beautiful churches in Italy, and remains the focal point in Piazza del Duomo. The cost of a ticket to visit is €8.00. I was awe-struck by the shimmering façade, noting how sunlight changes the golden mosaics throughout the day.
I wandered among the little streets which had many ceramic shops, as this area has always been well-known for these hand-painted works of art. After browsing through quite a few, I came back to the first shop, where I had met Chiara Giacomini, the owner who had spoken with pride of the four generations of her family involved in this ceramiche artistiche work.
I bought several beautiful pieces which actually were designed by her daughter. I also met her son Giulio, who explained that he attended art school for five years prior to him becoming the skilled craftsman that he is today. I was happy to arrange to have the ceramics shipped home.
I decided to check out Saint Patrick’s Well, also known as Pozzo di San Patrizio. The 16th century was an unsafe time in Rome, and Orvieto was considered to be a convenient place of refuge for Pope Clement VII. Since a reliable water supply was a necessity, the well was commissioned in 1527 and completed ten years later by the Florentine architect, Antonio da Sangallo.
I began the descent down one of the spiral staircases of 248 steps. The well is 175 feet deep and 42 feet across, so it is fairly cool inside even during the summer. The sheer size of the well is the origin of the Italian saying about spendthrifts having pockets as bottomless as “il Pozzo di San Patrizio.”
Built with two staircases, one for descending and one for ascending, this well is easier to navigate than the staircase at Giotto’s Bell Tower in Florence. These steps are wide since they were originally used by donkeys to carry water to the surface. Its walls are cut from rock and farther down they are lined with bricks. Seventy windows are cut into the circular well allowing for light on the stairs. The walk down was not that bad; in fact it only took about ten minutes. At the bottom of the well, as you might expect, I found some water, and I felt the dampness. Just thinking that this well had been used for the past five centuries gave me an eerie feeling.
While it takes a little bit of effort to reach Orvieto, the experience was well worth it, in my estimation. Have you been to Orvieto?
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Michael
Orvieto not that interesting. Where is the wine?
Anonymous
Great coverage of Orvieto!
Mimi