What to see in Orvieto: the Cathedral and the underground city

Orvieto stands on a volcanic tufa cliff almost 200 metres above the Paglia plain, on the border between Umbria and Lazio. Its position is extraordinary: seen from the motorway or the train, the city seems to float in the sky. It is about 80 km from Agriturismo Il Barco, reachable in under an hour and a half.

The Cathedral of Orvieto

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Italian Gothic. The façade, covered in golden mosaics and bas-reliefs, dazzles in the sunlight. The interior holds the Cappella di San Brizio with frescoes by Luca Signorelli (1499–1504) — a cycle depicting the Apocalypse and the Last Judgement that anticipated Michelangelo and which Vasari considered the principal source for the Sistine Chapel frescoes.

Underground Orvieto

Beneath the streets of the city extends a labyrinthine network of over 1,200 caves and tunnels carved into the tufa by the Etruscans in the 6th century BC. Used for centuries as cellars, dovecots, wells and shelters, they can now be visited on guided tours. A parallel, silent world beneath the footsteps of tourists.

Pozzo di San Patrizio

Commissioned by Pope Clement VII in 1527, the Pozzo di San Patrizio is a masterpiece of Renaissance engineering: 53 metres deep, with a double helix staircase that allowed donkeys to descend and ascend without ever crossing paths, carrying water to the surface. A remarkable technical solution that still functions perfectly today.

Orvieto Classico wine

Orvieto is also one of Umbria's oldest and most celebrated wine appellations. The white Orvieto Classico DOC — delicate, floral, with notes of almond — is produced in the hills surrounding the city. Many wineries offer tastings with views over the cliff.

Where to stay near Orvieto

Agriturismo Il Barco is about 80 minutes from Orvieto — perfect for a day trip, with lunch in the city and a return to the countryside in the evening. Its central position in the Umbrian Valley makes it easy to reach both the northern and southern highlights of the region.