Sights in Orvieto
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Orvieto Cathedral
Confoundingly beautiful, the cathedral is otherworldly in its striped magnificence. Started in 1290, it was originally planned in the Romanesque style, but as work proceeded and architects changed, it became more Gothic. The black-and-white marble banding of the main body of the church is surpassed and complemented by the dancing polychrome colours of the façade. Pope Urban IV commissioned the cathedral to celebrate the Miracle of Bolsena in 1263, but it took 30 years to plan and three centuries to complete. It was probably started by Fra Bevignate and later additions were made by Lorenzo Maitani, Andrea Pisano and his son Nino Pisano, Andrea Orcagna and Michele Sanicheli…
reviewed
-
B
Crocifisso del Tufo Etruscan Necropolis
Besides the Hypogea di Volumni outside of Perugia, the Crocifisso del Tufo Etruscan Necropolis is one of only two Etruscan necropolises that travellers can visit in Umbria. It dates back to the mid-6th century BC. Several series of burial chambers feature the etched names of their deceased residents. The manner in which the graves are laid out shows the preciseness of good ancient urban planning, albeit one whose residents couldn't quite appreciate it.
Many of the furnishings from the Necropolis can be found at the Louvre, British Museum and various other museums, though some of the collection hasn't left: the Museo Claudio Faina e Civico still holds onto a good chunk.
reviewed
-
C
Orvieto Underground
The coolest place in Orvieto, in degrees and atmosphere, is Orvieto Underground. Underneath the city, the rock is riddled with 440 caves, which have been used for millennia for various purposes. Tours (with English-speaking guides) take you through caverns variously used as WWII bomb shelters, refrigerators, wells and, during many a siege, dovecotes to trap pigeons for dinner (still seen on local restaurant menus as palombo ).
reviewed
-
D
Cappella del Corporale
The Cappella del Corporale houses the blood-stained altar linen of the miracle, preserved in a silver reliquary decorated by artists of the Sienese school. The walls feature frescoes depicting the miracle, painted by Ugolino di Prete Ilario. Mass is celebrated here daily at 09:00 (in Italian). Tickets for the Cappella di San Brizio are available from the tourist office; both capella are closed during Mass.
reviewed
-
E
Cappella di San Brizio
Inside the Cappella di San Brizio, Luca Signorelli’s fresco cycle The Last Judgement shimmers with life. Look for it to the right of the altar. Signorelli began work on the series in 1499, and Michelangelo is said to have taken inspiration from it. Indeed, to some, Michelangelo’s masterpiece runs a close second to Signorelli’s work.
reviewed
-
F
Pozzo di San Patrizio (St Patrick's Well)
To the north of La Rocca, the Pozzo di San Patrizio is a testament to the hardy disposition of the townsfolk. More than 60m deep, it is lined by two staircases for water-bearing mules and a Latin inscription reading: 'What nature denied for defence, in this case water, was added by the work of man'. It was sunk in 1527 on the orders of Pope Clement VII.
reviewed
-
G
Museo dell’Opera del Duomo
The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, housed in the former papal palaces, boasts a clutter of religious relics, as well as Etruscan antiquities and paintings by artists such as Simone Martini, Arnolfo di Cambio, and the three Pisanos: Andrea, Nino and Giovanni.
reviewed
-
H
Museo Claudio Faina e Civico
In the Palazzo Papale, you can visit the interesting Museo Claudio Faina e Civico, where you’ll find some significant Greek ceramic works, mostly found near Piazza Cahen in tombs dating to the 6th century BC.
reviewed
-
I
Museo di Emilio Greco
Museo di Emilio Greco displays a collection of modern pieces donated by the creator of the cathedral's bronze doors. You can get a combined ticket (adult/child around €6.50/4) for admission to the Pozzo di San Patrizio.
reviewed
-
J
Chiesa di Sant’Andrea
In Piazza della Repubblica, once the site of Orvieto’s Roman Forum and later the heart of the medieval city, stands the 12th-century Chiesa di Sant’Andrea with its curious decagonal bell tower.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Museo Archeologico Nazionale
In the Palazzo Papale you can see one of Italy’s most important collections of Etruscan archaeological artefacts in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale.
reviewed
-
L
Torre del Moro
Head northwest along Via del Duomo to Corso Cavour to Torre del Moro. Climb all 250 steps and you’re rewarded with sweeping city views.
reviewed
-
M
Chiesa di San Giovenale
The interior of the 11th-century Chiesa di San Giovenale is brightened by 13th- and 14th-century frescoes.
reviewed
-
N
La Rocca
Standing watch at the town's eastern-most tip is the 14th-century fortress La Rocca, part of which is now a public garden.
reviewed
-
O
Piazza del Popolo
The 12th-century Romanesque-Gothic Piazza del Popolo presides over the piazza of the same name.
reviewed
-
Cathedral
Little can prepare you for the visual feast that is the cathedral. Started in 1290, this remarkable edifice was originally planned in the Romanesque style but, as work proceeded and architects changed, Gothic features were incorporated into the structure. The black-and-white marble banding of the main body of the church is overshadowed by the rich rainbow colours of the facade. A harmonious blend of mosaic and sculpture, plain stone and dazzling colour, it has been likened to a giant outdoor altar screen.
The building took 30 years to plan and three centuries to complete. It was probably started by Fra Bevignate and later additions were made by Lorenzo Maitani (responsibl…
reviewed
