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Orvieto
floats above the green Umbrian plains atop a high,
flat-topped rocky outcrop. The exceptional views commanded by the city, as well as the beautiful skyline of Orvieto
itself, can be enjoyed from the top of the 13 C Torre del
Moro, the highest vantage point in town. Orvieto is a
rare Italian car-free haven. Access to the city is either via the funicular that runs from the railway station below up to the old town centre, passing directly by the
Albornoz fortress, or up the system of escalators dug into the
cliffs from the parking lot at Campo della Fiera. There is
also a regular minibus service that covers the entire city.
Orvieto has a number of fascinating and attractive churches,
but it is known worldwide for one spectacular structure and that's
it cathedral (Duomo), the great glory of Orvieto and a masterpiece of Italian Gothic art.
The basic structure is quite sober, constructed of bands of black and white
stone, but a most extraordinary façade has been applied to it: bronze dragons, gables with mosaics resplendent in gold, and
marvelous marble bas-reliefs by Lorenzo Maitani - an early
14 C interpretation of the sculptural style of imperial
Rome. The interior is also quite simple except for one large chapel entirely covered in dramatic frescoes by Luca
Signorelli, famous in their own right, but also the chief inspiration for Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel.
The historical Palazzo dei Papi (Palace of the Popes) is the site of the
Museo Archeologico Nazionale, and contains some of the area's Etruscan artifacts, including a full-scale tomb. Excursions of the Etruscan and mediaeval "Underground City" are available. Though sacked and pillaged by the Romans, many of the original Etruscan mills, cisterns, pottery works, quarries, canteens and burial chambers remain preserved beneath the city. Other Etruscan artifacts can be found in the Museo Civico and Museo Faina.
In the oenological field, Orvieto is best known for its white wines which are a blend of
Grechetto
with some
Trebbiano, sold as
Orvieto (DOC)
and Orvieto Classico
(DOC). Blended red wine and
several varietal reds are sold under the Rosso Orvietano
DOC. The region has been producing wine since the Middle Ages, when Orvieto wine was known as a sweet, golden yellow wine. Today's white Orvieto is dry, but a semi-sweet style, known as
Orvieto Abboccato, and a sweet (dolce) are also produced in small quantities.
More about:
Orvieto: tourist information, cathedral, history, architecture and wines.
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