(map) Orvieto
Orvieto is a town perched on top of a 600-foot plateau of volcanic rock. It’s fun to park below and take the funicular to the top, imagining what’s in store.
Once in the main square, you’ll face the brilliant signature of the town, the astounding golden façade of its cathedral, soaring seven stories high. This cathedral is a work of art in itself, the horizontal stripes inside and out are similar to those in Sienna, but here its powerful buttresses dominate the vertical structure, as if the stripes wrap a marvelous gift. The Gothic façade of the Orvieto Cathedral is one of the great masterpieces of the Late Middle Ages.
At the time it was built, the cathedral of Orvieto was an old dilapidated basilica. It took the Popes sixty years to convince the townspeople to sponsor the construction of a new one. When the cornerstone was laid in 1290, the old building began to acquire a new appearance, blending Byzantine and northern elements into a prime example of Italian Gothic style.
The town’s famous gray and white basalt and travertine Cathedral, with an exposed timber roof, dominates the surrounding countryside. From the hill toward Montefiascone and Bolsena, it’s possible to take a spectacular photo, especially during the afternoon, when sun shines on its golden façade.
-- Written by Evanne Brandon Diner (see bio), chronicler of local village life in Northern Lazio, and central Italy property restoration and purchasing consultant (www.lavventuraitalia.com)
June 11th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
…the beauty certainly is present, yet what strikes me is the opulence of the ‘Church’ and the poverty level of the people. This is ,if anything the saddest commentary of Italia.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:36 am
My husband and I spend a month in Italy this past October with another couple — Our favorite place was Orvieto!! What a beauty and a place not to miss on your trip to Italy. The food, people and the town was so charming. I was very excited when I read the Italian Notebook this morning about my favorite place in Italy — when you go to Italy this is a must to see.
June 12th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
The cathedral of Orvieto is indeed one of the many marvels in Italy. We used to love to stop at Orvieto along the Autostrada del Sole, just to see it again.
Furthermore, for you history buffs, Orvieto holds two other marvels. To the north of the town, along the one-road entrance to the 300-meter plateau-city, visitors can visit the Etruscan cemetery (6th cen. BC_. The cemetery was being excavated as far back as the 60s when we were there. And…still another wonder:
the well (pozzo) of San Patrizio. It dates from the early 1500s and was built to provide the citizens with water in case they were ever under seige and unable to reach the surrounding area where water was available. The sloping stairs are gradual and wide enough for thirsty animals to be able to reach the bottom, some 200 feet below. The Fiorentine architect even provided for 2 one-way staircases to enable the animals to avoid having to pass each other on the steps, one going down and the other going up. That would be too dangerous and awkward.
Orvieto is definitely worth a visit.
June 13th, 2009 at 1:59 am
Please send me more articles on Orvieto. I loved this one. Thanks so much.
June 15th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Thank you for the beautiful write-up and pictures. We love Italy and enjoy it as often as possible. This gives us something else to look forward to. Thanks again!
June 15th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
Gorgeous! I’ll be Orvieto May 23-29, 2010 teaching a week long workshop called “Bella Italia: Orvieto Sketchbook” AdventuresinItaly.net is organizing it, and I’m so excited! I traveled Tuscany in 1998, but I’m so looking forward to a full week in one town, Orvieto, and exploring and drawing as much as possible. Oh yea, and eating wonderful food and drinking wonderful wine too.
June 17th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
I was in Orvieto for a day back in 2001 with a cousin. Looking back to my journal, in addition to the beautiful cathedral, we visited the town’s museum and the underground caves. The caves were originally made by the Etruscans, then used by those from medieval times, who made the caves larger to store their wine and olive oil. They also had caves with ‘cubby holes’ for pigeons to sell and consume. During WWII, hospital patients were moved to a new cave built during the war.
June 17th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Orvieto really has so much to offer. There are beautiful views from its edges, wonderful architecture beyond the obvious, a sweet church – San Giovenale – that dates to 1000, great restaurants, two very good, very different wine bars, a second well at the other end of the city. It is busy with tourists during the day, but quiets at night as many tourists are there just for the day. As a result you get to enjoy a beautiful environment with the locals. Just a great place.
March 7th, 2010 at 4:43 am
on tour, my groups always spend a day experiencing this marvel of a village. from the first sight of the beautiful city on a pedastal to san patrizio to the duomo… not to mention all the shops and ristorantes and views. its truly a slice of italian heaven.