Orvieto is located in the southern tip of the Umbria region and can be used both as a base for excursions in the area, and as a destination of an excursion from e.g. Rome itself. A goo deal of the city’s tourist attractions are located on or near the Corso Cavour.
Top 10 tourist attractions Orvieto
01. Cathedral (Duomo)
The Duomo (Cathedral) of Orvieto is one of the most beautiful and famous in all of Italy. It took four centuries to complete its construction. The facade of this Gothic church is decorated with all kinds of ornaments. The main attraction of the cathedral is the San Brizio Chapel. Inside the church are a also some magnificent frescoes by Fra Angelico and others.
02. Orvieto underground
Since the terrain on which the city is built consists mainly of the easily manipulated tufa, there were underground passages carved into the stone as early as the time of the Etruscans. The city organizes excursions through these corridors. The Orvieto Underground is located in the area around Via della Cava in the western part of the historic center.
03. Torre del Moro and Palazzo dei Sette
From deep to high, the Torre del Moro is Orvieto’s tallest tower. From 47 meters high, you have a magnificent view of the city itself and the surrounding countryside. The tower is part of the historic building Palazzo dei Sette.
04. Pozzo di San Patrizio
And back into the depths again: The “Well of Saint Patrick” (Pozzo di San Patrizio) is a 62-meter-deep well. Along the well itself are two, obviously not very wide, staircases, one down and the other up. Both have 248 steps. Next to the well you can see the remains of what used to be the Etruscan Tempio del Belvedere.
05. Palazzo Papali and Palazzo Vescovile
The Episcopal Palace (Palazzo Vescovile) stands next to the Papal Palaces (Palazzi Papali) in Piazza del Duomo. Some rooms on the ground floor are used as the seat of the Museo Archeologico Nazionale. These buildings date from the time when a scuccession of popes had their residences in Orvieto.
06. San Giovenale Church
The San Giovenale Church dates back to 1004 and was built on the ruins of an early Christian church. This in turn was probably built on top of an ancient Etruscan temple dedicated to the Roman God Jupiter. It is the oldest church in the city and stands on the western edge of the historic center.
07. Piazza della Repubblica
The Piazza della Repubblica is located at the end of the main street Corso Cavour. In this square are both one of the most beautiful churches (Sant’Andrea Church) and one of Orvieto’s most important buildings (Palazzo Comunale).
08. Fortezza Albornoz
The Fortezza Albornoz (“Albornoz Fortress”) is an ancient Spanish castle from the 15th century. In fact, an earlier fortress stood there, built on the ruins of an Etruscan temple.
09. Palazzo Soliano and Museo dell’Opera del Duomo
The Palazzo Soliano is one of the buildings in the Piazza del Duomo. It has been restored countless times throughout history. Today, the first floor serves as the seat of the Emilio Greco Museum, while the second floor awaits yet another restoration. The collection of the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, which used to be housed here, has been moved to the Palazi Papali.
10. Piazza del Capitano del Popolo
The Piazza del Capitano del Popolo is one of Orvieto’s main squares. Twice a week, on Thursday and Saturday, this square is the scene of a large daily market. The most beautiful building in this square is the Palazzo del Popolo, which has served as a model for several smaller palaces in the city.