Orvieto is a charming medieval town perched atop a stone plateau a mere hour or so by train from Rome. For a story-filled day trip from Rome Orvieto makes for the perfect destination. Enjoy a glass of Umbrian wine with a plate of steaming pasta and truffles before setting out to explore some of the city’s most well-known sites, like the 14th century Duomo or the 16th century Pozzo di S. Patricio or St. Patrick’s Well.
Orvieto is situated on a rocky cliff made of Tufa stone along the road between Rome and Florence. Its history dates back to the Etruscans when it was an important city even back then; many of the Etruscan artifacts found there are on view in local museums. The city of Orvieto has always had an important relationship with the Pope and it was annexed by Rome in the 3rd century BC. During the Middle Ages when the Popes took on a more aggressive military role to govern and conquer more lands, Orvieto became an increasingly strategic point for the Pope to reside, and included one of the few Papal residences outside of Rome. Orvieto remained part of the Papal States until it was annexed by the Unified Italy in 1860.
How to Reach Orvieto
Orvieto is very easily reached by train from Rome’s Termini station. Depending on the type of train (a simple regional train, regionale, or express regional train, regionale veloce) the trip will take between 50 min to 1.5 hours and cost between €8-€15 one way per person.
The Funicular is the quickest and most convenient way to reach the historic center of Orvieto from the train station.
Once you’ve reached the Orvieto train station, you’ll need to take the funicular to the top of the plateau where the historic center is. The entrance to the funicular station is conveniently adjacent the train station and the trip takes about 2 minutes to reach the top and then a short walk to the historic center.
What to See
A trip to Orvieto wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the city’s stunning 14th century Duomo, a visit through its underground tunnels and/or the the 16th century Pozzo di S. Patrizio.
Duomo
The 14th century Duomo, or Cathedral of Orvieto, is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and was commissioned by Pope Urban IV to house the relic of the Corporal of Bolsena, (a piece of cloth that was stained with blood when a Host began to bleed). The miracle took place in nearby Bolsena. The piece of cloth is still housed inside the Duomo in the Chapel of the Corporal.
Tickets €4
Hours November to February: 9:30am – 5pm; March to October: 9:30am – 6pm; April to September 9:30am – 7pm
Pozzo di S. Patrizio
When the Sack of Rome took place in 1527, Pope Clement VII took refuge in Orvieto. He feared that the existing city’s water supply wouldn’t be sufficient in the event of an attack, so he commissioned the 53-meter (174 ft) deep well to be built. The well features double helix staircases to access the bottom so that mules carrying water could reach the bottom and leave the well without doubling back.
Tickets €5
Hours
January, February, November, December: 10am – 4:45pm
March, April, September, October: 9am – 6:45pm
May, June, July, August: 9am – 7:45pm
The charming streets and shops throughout Orvieto render a full-day’s itinerary unnecessary. Another way to experience the city – like anywhere in Italy – is to simply grab a table at one of the restaurants and people watch as locals gather in piazza or pass by on the street.
Where to Eat
Trattoria del Moro-Aronne
Address via S. Leonardo, 7
Phone 0763 342763
Website | Reservations recommended
Gastronomia Aronne
Address Corso Cavour, 101
L’Antica Rupe
Address Vicolo Sant’Antonio, 2
Phone 0763 343063
Trattoria La Palomba
Address via Cipriano Menente, 16
FEBO (Coffee)
Address Via Gualverio Michelangeli, 7
Pasqualetti (Gelato)
Address Via del Duomo, 10
For more suggestions on places to eat, shop and things to do, check out this post by a fellow expat friend of ours who has called Orvieto home for many years.
Day Trips from Rome
Thinking of taking a day trip from Rome? Take a look at some fo the other day trips we suggest!
- Naples
- Ostia Antica
- Civita di Bagnoregio
- Orvieto
- Cerveteri (Etruscan Burial Grounds)
- Castel Gandolfo
- Tivoli (Villa d’Este and Hadrian’s Villa)
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Have you visited Orvieto? Share your experience with us in the comments below!
