Why You should Make the Day Trip to Orvieto, Italy
Orvieto is a charming cliffside town in Italy with a rich history dating back to the Etruscans. The town, just 90 minutes from Rome, is famous for its stunning Duomo, a masterpiece of Italian Gothic architecture. The town’s picturesque streets and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside make it a must-visit destination in Italy. If you’re considering a day trip to Orvieto from Rome, you won’t be disappointed.
about Orvieto
Orvieto is a small town that is perched high on a volcanic tuff that overlooks the Umbria plains, dating back 3000 years.
It was the most important area for the Estrucians during the 9th century BC, and then it reached a resurgence as a military stronghold in the Middle Ages.
Much of the city of Orvieto remains as it did then.
As stated, this is a cliffside town. Getting to the top can be done in one of three ways: Elevator, Stairs and Escalator, or Funicular.
When we visited, we decided to take the escalator. To be clear, it is more stairs than escalators, and one of the two escalators was not working. It is a lot of walking!
If I had to do it over again, I would have chosen one of the two other options because you will do enough walking once you are in town.
Things to do in Orvieto
When it comes to spending the day in Orvieto, you will be able to do quite a lot if you plan your time wisely.
You will need to get tickets for some of the more popular things to do, including the Duomo.
There is a ticket office just across from the Duomo, and it offers combination tickets.
The Single Orvieto Card is the most affordable choice. It includes the Duomo, St Patrick’s Well, Torre del Moro, and the Etruscan Faina Museum for 18 €.
Stroll the City Streets
Orvieto is best explored slowly. The winding streets and narrow alleyways are simply charming.
While you could do a guided tour, Orvieto has a downloadable map and maps are also posted on signs throughout the city to help you navigate.
Exploring the streets will help you better understand why this town is such a popular day trip from Rome.
the Duomo di Orvieto
The centerpiece of Orvieto is the Duomo, and it is considered one of the most beautiful churches in Italy.
The cathedral took 3 centuries to finish. Initially, it was designed as a Romanesque basilica, but as time went on during construction, then changed to a more Italian Gothic church.
The exterior is just as stunning as the interior.
It is filled with colorful mosaics featuring the Virgin of whom the cathedral was dedicated.
The mosaics tell stories of the Virgin: the Assumption into Heaven, the Nativity, and up to the Coronation.
The focal point of the church is the Rose Window, also known as Orcagna.
In the niches above the rose window stand the twelve apostles, while in niches on both sides house figures of the twelve Old Testament prophets represented in pairs.
The interior of the Orvieto Cathedral is flanked by striped columns that alternate between travertine marble and basalt.
In front of them are statues of the 12 apostles.
The apse features a large stained-glass window and a series of Gothic frescoes dedicated to the life of the Virgin Mary that were completed in the late 14th century and were the largest in Italy at that time.
The Chapel of the Madonna di San Brizio was a 15th-century addition to the cathedral and absolutely a sight to behold.
Etruscan Museum
Situated across from the Duomo is a museum that houses artifacts that were excavated from Orvieto and nearby regions.
The building was formerly a Palace owned by Claudio Faina, who turned it into a museum in the mid-19th century.
Other objects showcased in this museum are a set of bronze pieces, Etruscan vases, and other ceramics and stone pieces.
The museum also exhibits an extensive collection of coins that spans several rooms.
The second floor has a gallery of objects and windows that face the Duomo, allowing you to see the upper levels of the exterior in a way that you might not otherwise get to see!
What People Have to Say About it on TripAdvisor:
The Museo Etrusco of Orvieto is a fantastic attraction to visit, if interested in the Etruscan Civilization and history. It is plenty of precious finds of several excavations. Besides this, it well explained the advantages and disadvantages of the private excavations and further collections, typical of the XIX century. The collection is showed in a marvellous palace of the family Faina in the city center of Orvieto, in front of the Cathedral.
Palazzo Comunale
This palace was once the home to nobles.
After being donated to the chuch, it returned to the hands of the city and serves as the Town Hall.
The original building dates back to 1200, but much of what you see now has been updated during the 17th century.
Orvieto Underground (Chiesa di Sant’Andrea e Bartolomeo)
If you want to really step back in time while visiting Orvieto, do an underground tour.
Deep below Orvieto lies a maze divided into more than 1,200 caves and tunnels that includes underground wells & cisterns.
The church of Sant’Andrea is located in Piazza della Repubblica next to the Town Hall and is the oldest Christian place of worship in the city.
It was constructed in the 6th century on top of the ruins of a pre-existing Etruscan temple in the area of the Forum.
Beneath the church lies a tunnel system that was used for thousands of years.
What People Have to Say About the Underground Tours on TripAdvisor:
The tour of Orvieto Underground was one of the best moments of our trip. It’s amazing to think of everything that lies beneath the city: ancient oil mills, cisterns, dovecotes and secret passages… it feels like taking a trip back in time!
Our guide, Cristiana, managed to make each stage interesting, with curious anecdotes, historical details told in an engaging way and a lot of irony, which never hurts.
A truly enjoyable experience, which made the trip even more special.
Moro Tower
Constructed in 1200, the Torre del Moro sits in the center of the city and is oriented to the four cardinal points that divide the 4 districts of the city.
While somewhat plain, it is worth paying a few euros to walk to the top, where you will find a terrace and a 360-degree view of Orvieto.
Saint Patrick’s Well
This well is certainly a sight to behold!
At 175 feet deep, this well is thought by some to have ties to the Knights Templar because of its intricate design.
The central well shaft is made of two helical ramps in a double helix, accessed by two separate doors.
It was constructed this way so that teams of donkeys could carry empty water vessels down and full water vessels up without having to cross paths on the same staircase.
Visitors are able to see the feat of design if they are willing to decend and climb the 248 steps!
Making the Day Trip to Orvieto
You can get to Orvieto by car, bus, or train. There are also plenty of tours that will take all the guesswork out of a day trip.
If you have a car, you can drive to Orvieto in approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Flixbus takes about 1.5 hours and typically goes to Orvieto from Rome twice a day.
There are multiple direct trains to Orvieto. They take about 2 hours and are relatively inexpensive.
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