Umbria part 2

ORVIETO

Totally at the other side of Assisi in the same region stands up Orvieto. 

To say that it stands up is the figurative meaning of this particular town created by Etruscan population and built on a top of ignimbrite or pyroclastic flow that is a volcanic plug. 

Underneath of Orvieto is archeological fundings of a necropolis, surrounded by it's fragile soil. 

photo from YouTube

This maestous hill of nearly 300 m above the sea level rises just in a front of us.

Although it may have been populated at least 700BC, there are archeological fundings that lead it to be inhabit during iron and bronze age. Between 800 and 600 BC it was populated by "some" Etruscans and later on with the next 200 years got its peak. Romans made end of all it in 264BC with the extinction of the population. There is no written text that indicates the reason of such hatred that leads to the destruction of such civilisation. Especially when etruscan exported huge amount of statues to Rome. 

I found Duomo di Orvieto one of the most beautiful churches I have ever visited. This may be because of the artwork of a young Tuscan artist Luca Signorelli who was an anti conformist and incredibly courageous. 

Duomo di Orvieto 

Duomo di Orvieto, or Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta was build by the will of Pope Urban IV at 1290. The church was initially build to celebrate the Miracle of Bolsena; At the time of a religious celebration at Bolsena the holy bread seemed to bleed. 

It is made of white travertine and blue-grey basalt, while the facade held up to 20 artist to work with it.

It is in romanesque style probably by Arnolfo di Cambio until Giovanni di Uguccione made some gothic stile modifications. It took nearly 300 years to complete the building of this church and containing elements were added between 14th and 20th century. 

I was impressed by the gothic stile of facade and the huge amount of picturesc artwork it is covered. 

The eye catching golden frontage, the rose window, the stories told such as the book of genesis are all to be admired outdoors. While in the inside the main attraction is the San Brizio chapel where Luca Signorellis frescos were ordered by Pope Nicolas V; later finished by the artist name Perugino. 

Orvieto has 20.000 inhabitants and the town offers many handcraft shops. Small cafes along the main streets and the Piazza duomo area. Main streets seem to form a sort of  cross leading as arms from the Duomo to the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, remaining from the period of Ghibelline and nowadays a congress centre.  The city's "naval isle" leads from Pozzo della Cava to Pozzo San Patrizio.  Walking downhill of Corso Cavour I ended up to the funicular at Piazza Cachen where I could admire a magnificent view. 

At the square of Piazza Capitano del Puopolo I found a market that was hold on Wednesdays.  Other days it is a lovely square to sit down and enjoy lunch in one of those small restaurants. 

This building was actually build on a top of ghibelline period building and is used ever since its last renovation in 1989 as a congress centre.

This tower belongs to the Sant'Anderas church and is to be found further away in the Corso Cavour direction towards Pozzo della Cava. 

If you remember what I mentioned about Umbrian bread, this might be a pleasant place to try some olive oil on Umbrian bread and drink a glass of Orvieto. This wine was the first Italian white wine I ever drank. It was probably one of the first ones our liquor store Alko ever took to it's collection. And to my student's wallet it was probably also the only one I could afford. 

I didn't pay a visit to the Fortress of Albornoz nor I could visit any of those two famous Pozzo or necropolis due to their opening hours. 

My advice is to visit Orvieto as a full day tour, perhaps with a help of a professional tour guide or a tour leader. 

Feel free to ask an offer of tour-leader services to your group to visit Orvieto, 

GB, IT, FIN, NL