The
Umbrian town of Orvieto is magnificently situated on a tufa crag which rears
up out the Paglia valley.
Founded by the Etruscans, it was known in late antiquity as URBIBENTUM or URBS
VETUS (the “old town”) and later became a strong-hold of the Guelf
party, in which the Popes frequently sought refuge.
SIGHTS:
The
Cathedral, one of the most splendid examples of Italian gothic architecture,
was built in alternating courses of black basalt and greyish-yellow limestone
and decorated by the finest artists of the day.
It was founded before 1290 in honour of the “Miracle of Bolsena”
and consecrated in 1309.
Other important
monuments are:
Church of S.Andrea
Church
of S.Giovenale
Well
of S. Patrizio
The
Popes' building
The Towers:
(Moro, Maurizio)
Building of the People
Below
the town there is an interesting Etruscan Necropolis, with tombs mostly dating
from the 5th century B.C.
