Comments on: Italian Gothic

By: davi mondt lowman

davi mondt lowman — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 02:43:15 +0000

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.

By: Bill Steiner

Bill Steiner — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:45:03 +0000

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.

By: Monica Pileggi

Monica Pileggi — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:02:45 +0000

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 The caves were originally made by the Etruscans, then used by those from medieval times, who made the caves larger to store their wine and olive oil.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.

By: Jane LaFazio

Jane LaFazio — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:25:53 +0000

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.

By: Sylvia Flores

Sylvia Flores — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:32:42 +0000

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!

By: Mary Rose Duffield

Mary Rose Duffield — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:59:01 +0000

Please send me more articles on Orvieto. I loved this one. Thanks so much.

By: Stanley Crabb

Stanley Crabb — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:43:32 +0000

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.

By: Vicky

Vicky — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:36:08 +0000

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.

By: jojo

jojo — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:44:24 +0000

…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.