Pozzo della Cava, Underground archaeological museum in Orvieto, Italy.
Pozzo della Cava is an underground museum in Orvieto formed by two connected shafts dug deep into the rock. The main circular shaft has a width of roughly 3 to 4 meters, while a rectangular passage is significantly narrower.
This well was built on the orders of Pope Clement VII around 1527 as the first of its kind in Orvieto. It was an important construction of that time before other projects would later overshadow its significance.
In winter, the chambers become a space for a mechanical nativity display that changes its setup and stories from one year to the next. Visitors see different religious scenes arranged within the underground rooms.
Entering the well requires climbing down stairs and navigating narrow passages, so some physical fitness helps. Visitors should bring sturdy shoes and a light jacket, as the underground space stays cool and damp.
The walls of the well show ancient footholds carved by Etruscan hands as climbing aids to descend into the shaft's depths. These marks chiseled into the stone reveal how people moved through these underground spaces centuries ago.
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