The town was built on top of a volcanic  rock reachable via a cable car. Of  Etruscan foundation, it has extraordinary artistic jewels.

HALF DAY TOUR

Duomo*: a true masterpiece of the Italian art , it is a perfect combination of  architecture, carving and painting . The façade is adorned  by  beautiful mosaics, while in the interior  the St. Brizio chapel boasts the magnificent  Renaissance frescoes by Luca Signorelli  depicting the final Judgment 

People’s Palace:  a splendid 12th-century example of civic building made in tufa,  perfectly harmonized with the medieval appearance of the city

Medieval Quarter: a walk between churches and palaces in the gilt tufa light. To admire:church of St. Giovenale , St. John and St. Domenico churches, this last one having a beautiful marble tomb carved by Arnolfo di Cambio (XIII C)

 
SUGGESTIONS FOR A FULL-DAY TOUR IN ORVIETO:

St.Patrick’s Well*: a deep well encircled by two spiral staircases each with 248 wide steps to provide an emergency water supply in the event of a siege, genial work by the papal architect Antonio di Sangallo the Younger 

“Crocifisso del Tufo” Necropolis*  the Etruscan necropolis at the base of the Orvieto hill shows many tombs placed in form of houses and streets 

“Claudia Faina”Museum: it is a rich private  archaeological collection inlcuding  coins, Attic vases and Etruscan finds 

National Archaeological Museum*: among the highly interesting Etruscan exhibits there are arms and bronze items, red and back-figured vases,  and two reconstructed painted tombs where original paintings are displayed.
 

DURING YOUR FREE TIME
Wine tasting (Orvieto classico) and local ceramics are recommended.

SPECIAL DAYS IN ORVIETO
The feast of Corpus Christi (Corpus Domini to Italians) falls in  early June. See men and women clad in sumptuous medieval costumes as part of the local pageant.

 
Make a full-day tour, by adding to the Orvieto tour either Todi, Amelia or Narni!

*admission fee