Orvieto has history. It’s one of those places where things happened, where notable people loved or bled—a city made malleable by the stages of history we call ancient, medieval, and modern. But why, moreover, should you care to visit this ancient place situated on a giant, isolated hill of volcanic tuff?
We’ll be visiting Orvieto Italy during our Italian pilgrimage. From Rome, we will depart by coach for a spectacular drive through Umbria to the hilltop city of Orvieto, which was founded by the Etruscans, perched on volcanic tufa cliffs, with magnificent views of the cypress-studded countryside. Here we will visit the beautiful fourteenth-century Duomo di Orvieto, which features a golden mosaic façade, and take a guided walking tour of the upper town’s winding streets, including the art-rich complex of medieval palaces called the Palazzi Papali.
Orvieto is a town that imparts both escape and salvational immersion. With a population of only around 20,000 people, this is a sanctuary of sweet strolls through vicolos, morning runs, and a wine with lunch. It’s where life as-per-usual is lived beneath medieval cathedrals and above panoramic countryside views.
Since Orvieto is a vital stop along our journey through Italy, we think this an opportune time to highlight the special things to do in this special town. Within the guide, we’ll also look over the nearby town of Assisi, another special stopping point along your journey
The Monumental Duomo di Orvieto
The duomo (cathedral) is a sacred 14th century Roman Catholic cathedral built to honor the Virgin Mary’s ascension to Heaven, also known as the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
The cathedral contains a grand rose window. Rose windows are often associated with creation and the feminine counterpart of the masculine, in this case, likely Mary as the mother of Jesus.
In general, the entire cathedral façade is spectacular. It’s a masterpiece! The colorful images of biblical events and angels, the sculptures, the architecture, and the rose window create a sight not to be missed by curious pilgrims. Visiting the cathedral, you’ll feel transported to a time of artistic divinity. You’ll feel how art and the divine coincided to create a place of peace and power.
The Deep Pozzo di S. Patrizio of Orvieto Italy
Saint Patrick’s Well is another point of interest for seekers of beauty and the sacred. It was constructed in the 16th century for a larger water supply during the sack of Rome in 1527.
The Well was named after Saint Patrick’s Purgatory in Station Island, Ireland. Saint Patrick’s Purgatory is a pilgrimage site for the supposed entry into the depths of Purgatory. Legend has it that Christ himself showed Saint Patrick the way, and pilgrimages to this site are thought to have gone uninterrupted since medieval times.
Saint Patrick’s Well of Orvieto hosts incredible views. Standing on the cliffside near the well, the pilgrim embraces expansive sights of the countryside that are equally enticing as the Well itself. The Well is deep, cylindrical, and contains chambers created to enable the transport of water via mules. Today, visitors can walk the chambers and the depths of the Well, symbolically entering Purgatory (as coined by the creators).
The Underground of Orvieto
Orvieto contains hundreds of underground caves that were used for various purposes throughout time. They’ve been used for hunting, refrigerating, as bomb shelters, protection against invaders, and today: as a historical journey through the bottom-side of a city.
Viewpoint Atop the Tore del Moro
A walking tour of Orvieto, or anywhere in Italy for that matter, must be made complete by a viewpoint and monumental view of the town and countryside. In Orvieto, the Torre del Moro is the place. After the climb to the viewpoint, you’ll be met with the best view in Orvieto—an expansive view of the entire town (including the cathedral) in the foreground of the charming Umbrian countryside.
Visit Assisi, an UNESCO Site and Neighboring Town of Orvieto Italy
We’ll also be staying in Assisi for two nights on our Italy journey. While frolicking through the dreaminess of Orvieto Italy, it’s important to note that Assisi is only about an hour away. This makes for an essential trip into Umbria’s most spectacular hill town, the city of St. Francis, and the site of one of Italy’s most popular and devoted pilgrimages.
Saint Francis is a highly revered religious figure. He is considered a Patron Saint of Italy for receiving the stigmata of Christ during a vision and interaction with angels. He is also renowned for creating the following rule for his followers: “To follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to walk in his footsteps.”
The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi is a monumental pilgrimage site consecrated in the 13th century directly after the consecration of the Saint. Part of an UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000, the organization writes that “Assisi, a medieval city built on a hill, is the birthplace of Saint Francis, closely associated with the work of the Franciscan Order. Its medieval art masterpieces, such as the Basilica of San Francesco and paintings by Cimabue, Pietro Lorenzetti, Simone Martini and Giotto, have made Assisi a fundamental reference point for the development of Italian and European art and architecture.”
The Basilica is literally constructed into the side of a hill. It took about 25 years to build (completed in 1253). It is an extremely important representation of architecture in this period in Medieval Italy. In the presence of the structure, one undoubtedly feels immersed in a holy place. There are multiple rose windows, other spectacular windows, and a deep sense of sanctuary about the place. Again, a trip to Assisi from Orvieto is doable, and seeing the Basilica should definitely be on the top of the list of any pilgrim.
Overall, seeing the town of Orvieto with its well, cathedral, underground, viewpoints, and the nearby town of Assisi is worthy to be called a “sacred journey.” It will be an unforgettable one, too, and we feel so blessed to be visiting these places on our upcoming journey with Phil Cousineau.
