• View
• Edit
• History
• Print

Orvieto Italy

INTRODUCTION

Orvieto is a city in the Italian region of Umbria and is situated on the flat summit of a large butte of volcanic tuff. There is a certain drama about the city, which sits perched on the mountain side, surrounded by defensive walls of the same rock as the cliffs below it.

HISTORY

The ancient city of Orvieto has been populated since Etruscan times. Many artifacts recovered in Orvieto can be found in the Archaeological Museum.

Orvieto was annexed by Rome in the 3rd Century B.C. After the fall of the Roman Empire, control of the city was transferred to the Goths and Lombards. In the 10th century, Orvieto became a self-governing commune under a feudal oath of fealty to the Bishop. Since that times Orvieto has had a close relationship with the Papacy.

In 1860, Orvieto became part of the nation of Italy.

ATTRACTIONS

Orvieto Cathedral

Well of Saint Patrick

Underground City of Orvieto