Sightseeing in Orvieto - what to see. Complete travel guide

The miraculous city of Orvieto is situated in the heart of Italy. This is a truly blessed settlement surrounded by beautiful nature. Vineyards only add charm to this place. Together with silence and harmony, they make Orvieto an attractive destination for a large number of foreign guests. The city is relatively small, nevertheless, local people can be truly proud of their motherland. The atmosphere in Orvieto has obvious mystery, so no wonder why guests of this Italian city are so eager to unleash the secrets of the ancient settlement. An excursion in Orvieto is like a journey to medieval Italy. No progress and changes in modern life could kill that special charm.

The first settlement on the site of modern Orvieto appeared during the antique period. At that time, this city was associated with another important settlement, Velzna. The two cities were important settlements in the Etruscan civilization. In the 3rd century BC, the Romans captured the territory of Orvieto. When the Roman Empire collapsed, the bishop’s residence, which previously had been in Bolsena, was transferred to Orvieto. Goths and Lombards controlled the city until the 10th century. After that, a self-governing commune was established in Orvieto.

Starting from 1201, the city self-governance was made through a podesta. Such noble families as the Monaldeschi, Filipescu, and Alberici were the most influential in the process of making important political decisions. Only the last dynasty out of these three powerful families in the region has survived until modern times. Thanks to the efforts of the city administration, Orvieto turned into an important cultural center. The famous Italian philosopher and priest Thomas Aquinas taught at the local university. Needless to say, this fact raised the prestige of the city. The Pope’s authority was maintained for many years in Orvieto. The city became a part of Italy only in 1860. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The Pozzo di San Patrizio or the Well of Saint Patrick is often the first landmark in Orvieto that foreign tourists visit. This well was built in 1227. Pope Clement VII chose Orvieto as his residence city. It was decided to build the well to supply water to the nearby Albornoz Castle. Using a winding road, mules and donkeys went down to fill vessels with water. After that, the animals had to cross a small wooden bridge and start their ascension to the top. The well is approximately sixty-two meters deep and has a width of thirteen meters.

Every year, tourists coming in Orvieto have to walk roughly two hundred and fifty stairs to throw a coin to the legendary well. When standing on the bridge mentioned above, it is possible to see how the coins thrown by other visitors shine in the water. An interesting fact – if you look closely, you will notice that there are not only coins in the well but also mobile phones. It is a mystery why some tourists decided to throw their cellphones into the well. Perhaps, the beauty of this place enchanted those guests so much that they involuntarily lost their phones. There is one more theory – a visit to the well was a life-changing experience that encouraged people to start a new life and enjoy it without handheld devices that ruin the serene atmosphere.

Do you want to see how the main shrine in Orvieto looks like? There is a gorgeous cathedral in the city. This is a fabulous example of the Romanesque-Gothic architecture that can compete with many churches in the most famous Italian cities. When standing near the majestic cathedral, it feels like a giant is staring at you from above. The church is situated on a small square, which adds to an atmosphere of mystery and attractiveness. The central façade of the building is the first place that tourists should pay their attention at. This is a unique combination of different forms of art and skillfully made frescoes.

In the 12th century, there was another church on the site of the modern cathedral. However, that church was in drastic condition. The city’s authorities decided to build a new church on this site after a mysterious event had taken place here in 1263. When people took sacramental bread during ordinary public worship, the blood started pouring from it. Blood drops from the bread fell on the altar and people considered this an omen. The building of the main façade ended in 1310. The outer look is not the only attractive feature of the gorgeous cathedral. Come inside to see that the inner décor of the church is no less spectacular. The chapel with gorgeous frescoes and an image of Saint Brictius is a true gem of the cathedral.

A domestic train from Florence or Rome is the most comfortable way to reach Orvieto. The Italian city is one of the stops along the way. After that, tourists need to switch to the cable road that takes passengers to the city center from the square near the railway station. The ride lasts only two minutes. There are also buses that connect the square and the central district of Orvieto.