Orvieto, Medieval hilltop commune in Umbria, Italy
Orvieto is a medieval commune set on a rock plateau in the province of Terni in Umbria, Italy. The cliffs of volcanic stone surround the town center and shape the appearance of this hilltop settlement.
The settlement began in the third century BC as an Etruscan stronghold and was later taken over by the Romans. During the Middle Ages, the town became part of the Papal States and served at times as a papal residence.
The cathedral takes its name from the Virgin Mary and rises at the heart of the old town, where locals and visitors gather on the square in front. The facade displays colored mosaics and sculptures telling stories from the Bible, created by craftsmen over several generations.
A lift connects the train station below the cliffs with the old town and makes the climb easier. The narrow lanes in the center are easy to walk for pedestrians, while many areas have limited car access.
A network of underground chambers beneath the town contains over a thousand rooms connected by tunnels, once used for storage, workshops, and cisterns. The Pozzo di San Patrizio is a well with two separate spiral staircases that never cross, allowing simultaneous descent and ascent.
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