Orvieto's Underground
3,000 Years of History Below One of Italy's Most Beautiful Cities
Discover the intricate labyrinth of cave and wells underneath the city of Orvieto, one of the most charming cities in central Italy.
Had it not been for an ancient volcano, the town of Orvieto would not be on the map of Italy. it first created the sheer cliffs the city lays upon, and then it enriched the hillsides below with a unique mixture of minerals that play an essential part in the secret alchemy of its famous white wine. Being such a charming city, most Italy lovers are likely to be already familiar with its medieval appearance, its breathtaking cathedral and its world-famous wine. What they might not be aware of is that, deep down, inside that layer of volcanic rock, there is an underground city, which can be just as fascinating as the town itself.
Life Beneath the City
People in Orvieto have dug since the Etruscan period and for the most diverse reasons - to create temples to obscure divinities, to find water and to extract the building material for their houses. The result of over 3,000 years of excavating is a honeycomb of about 1,200 caves, passages, quarries and wells.
Mainly privately owned, they are now mostly used as wine cellars, thanks to a constant temperature of 12-13º C which perfectly preserves the qualities of Orvieto Classico. If you are not lucky enough to have local friends happy to show you their cantina and open a bottle for the occasion, you can still have your underground experience by visiting the Orvieto Underground complex (several tours depart daily from the tourist office located on the cathedral square). There, a knowledgeable guide will lead you through Etruscan wells, an ancient mulino, which milled olives from Etruscan times to the 17th century, and some interesting dovecotes with spectacular views over the valley.
All's Well that Ends Well
The most famous story related to the underground city is probably that of St. Patrick's well, so-called because of a supposed similarity with St. Patrick's cavern in Ireland. This impressive piece of engineering designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger in the 16th century was commissioned by Pope Clement VII after he took refuge in Orvieto following the sack of Rome, allegedly disguised as a greengrocer! An attack on Orvieto from the imperial troops was expected any minute and the Pope wanted to create an emergency water supply just in case. The result is a 63 meter-deep well (the equivalent of a seven storey building!), encircled by two separate spiral staircases that never cross, for easy transportation of water.
Luckily, the attack never took place and this unused drinking hole is now a popular wishing well where you can throw a coin and, with a little luck, guarantee your return trip to Orvieto!
More information:
St. Patrick's Wells, viale Sangallo, tel +39 0763 343768
Orvieto tourist office, Piazza del Duomo 24, tel +39 0763 341772
