Conquering Umbria, the green heart of Italy? Don’t miss a stop in Orvieto, famous for its slow food movement and cathedral!
Between Rome and Florence, perched on a huge rock, you’ll find one of Umbria’s nuggets: Orvieto. With its ochre stone houses, winding lanes and cobbled squares, Orvieto knows how to charm and retain travellers.
Its star attraction is the cathedral, considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. Other attractions include palaces, a curious underground world and museums retracing the region’s history. Here’s our list of must-sees in Orvieto!
1. Orvieto Cathedral
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Construction of this imposing cathedral began in 1290 and went through several phases, culminating in 1890. Gothic in style, it reveals a triptych façade, richly decorated with colorful mosaics. Photograph the superb central rose window, the bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments and the statues of the saints, before heading inside.
Once through the central doorway, you’ll discover alternating black and white marble and a masterly choir. On the right-hand side of the crossing is the San Brizio chapel, with frescoes by the Italian master Fra Angelico. Definitely a must-see in Orvieto!
2. Saint-Patrice well
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Built between 1527 and 1537 by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, at the request of Pope Clement VII, this well was intended to supply water to the town of Orvieto during periods of siege. Measuring 53.15 meters deep, the structure was built to enable mules to carry full and empty water tanks without running into each other.
A flight of 240 steps leads down into the depths of the shaft. The 70 windows in the staircase allow you to take in the full extent of the edifice. Another must-see on your to-do list of things to do in Orvieto!
3. The underground world of Orvieto
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Visiting Orvieto and finding a bit of fresh air is possible with this unusual tour of the city’s bowels. It’s literally another city that awaits you underground, carved out of the tufa rock on which Orvieto has stood for centuries. Some 1,200 caves, cisterns, tunnels and other shafts carve out a fascinating labyrinth.
The Etruscans were the first to use pickaxes to make water accessible. The nobility and aristocracy also built tunnels under their palaces to escape in case of siege. Book a tour with one ofOrvieto Underground ‘s guides for an unforgettable experience!
4. Etruscan necropolises
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Another thing to do in Orvieto is visit the Etruscan heritage, including two beautiful necropolises. The Necropolis of the Tuff Crucifix lies at the foot of the city walls, and some of its tombs can be visited. Note the shape: those resembling cylinders are those of women, those forming corks or onions are those of men.
To the south, the Cannicella necropolis reveals several terraces carved into the rock. A remarkably well-preserved statue of smiling Venus has been discovered here.
5. The Belvedere temple
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Now it’s time to visit Orvieto from above! We continue our discovery of Etruscan splendors with the Belvedere temple. Probably dating from the 5th century BC and used until the 2nd century BC, it is now in ruins. To see fragments of the temple, visit the Museo Faina. The main attraction of this site is the breathtaking view it offers of the city and its surroundings.
6. Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo
Photo credit: Wikimedia – Claudio Caravano
French for « palace of the people’s captain », this imposing blond stone building dates back to the 14th century. For many years, the Captain of the People played an important role in Italian life, representing the people. You can’t go inside the monument to discover its three large halls. Nevertheless, the square on which it stands remains a must-see in Orvieto, as it hosts the town’s market. Take the opportunity to sample some local specialities and do some shopping!
7. Museo Etrusco Claudio Faina
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Orvieto remains strongly marked by its Etruscan past. The best way to appreciate this is to visit the Claudio Faina Museum, dedicated to this civilization. Located opposite the cathedral, in the Piazza del Duomo, it houses an important collection of Etruscan and Hellenistic artefacts. It’s hard not to fall under the spell of ancient vases, richly decorated pottery and statues of rough rusticity…
8. La Torre del Moro
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Another monument to visit in Orvieto is the Torre del Moro, nestled in the heart of the historic center. You can visit it first by elevator, then by staircase for the second half of the tour. The spectacular terrace rises some 50 metres above the ground. It offers sumptuous panoramic views of the city and surrounding hills.
9. The National Archaeological Museum
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We continue our tour of Orvieto with the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, located in Piazza del Duomo. It is housed in the Palazzo Papale, which dates from the late 13th century. This beautiful museum houses various collections from excavations at Umbrian archaeological sites. Bronzes and ceramics tell the story of the region, and there are reconstructions of Etruscan tombs.
10. Albornoz fortress
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Built as early as 1359, this imposing fortress has seen many battles. Restored several times, it is now one of the town’s public parks. An ideal spot to relax in the shade between two visits to Orvieto!
11. Piazza della Repubblica
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Now take Corso Cavour to find another place to visit in Orvieto. This beautiful square is home to the town hall (palazzo communale) and boasts numerous cafés, restaurants and boutiques. A great opportunity to practice your Italian with the locals! It’s also home to Orvieto’s oldest church, the Chiesa Sant’Andrea, where you can admire paintings by Nebbia.
12. San Giovenale church
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Another of Orvieto’s oldest churches, San Giovenale was built in 1004, probably on the ruins of an Etruscan temple dedicated to Jupiter. Blending Romanesque and Gothic styles, it contains medieval frescoes in a stunning state of preservation. Don’t miss the marble altar and the Lombard-style bas-relief!
13. Adriano’s labyrinth
The last thing you want to do in Orvieto is visit the Adriano Labyrinth, another network of caves and tunnels typical of the town, adorned with works of art and sculptures. It houses a restaurant serving Italian cuisine based on fresh produce and local wines.
Other things to see and do in Orvieto
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- Enjoy a pigeon, the local specialty;
- Enjoy a glass of Umbrian wine: Orvieto is famous for its wineries, which offer wines of the highest quality;
- Take part in the Umbria jazz festival, held in nearby Perugia every July.
How to get to Orvieto
There are several options for getting to Orvieto from France and Italy.
By plane
It is not possible to get to Orvieto by plane. The nearest airport is Rome Ciampino. From the Italian capital’s tarmac, it takes 1 hour 20 minutes by rental car to reach the town, and 2 hours 30 minutes by bus or train. You’ll first reach the Rome Tiburtina bus station, before changing to a train.
Another option: from Florence airport, by bus in 3h30, or from Perugia airport, for the same journey time. To find a cheap flight ticket to Orvieto, use a flight comparator like Skyscanner.
By car
From France, you can easily reach Orvieto by car, via theA89,A6 andA43 towards Turin. Once through the Fréjus tunnel, continue on theA43, then theE70 andA1.
Three parking lots are available: the one behind Orvieto station, the underground parking lot and the Via Roma parking lot.
By train
From Perugia, you can reach Orvieto by train in around 1h40, at a cost of between €10 and €20 with the Trenita company.
From Rome, count on around ten euros and an hour’s journey to Orvieto, again with Trenita.
From Florence, it will take you between 2h and 2h30 to get to Orvieto by train, for a fare of between €15 and €30.
Where to stay in Orvieto?
There’s a plethora of choices when it comes to packing your bags in Orvieto! From entry-level rooms to more luxurious hotels and Airbnb accommodations, there’s something for everyone. To make the most of your stay, book in advance and use a hotel comparator to find the best prices!
Map of hotels and accommodation – Umbria