Orvieto Underground. The hidden secrets of the city
Orvieto Underground. The hidden secrets of the city
One of the characteristics of the city of Orvieto is that of the possibility of visiting the underground part of the city, the Orvieto underground.
The Orvieto underground is one of the beauties that cannot be missing in your holiday because it is an integral part of the history of the construction of the city and much loved especially by the children.
Although many locals in Orvieto give the opportunity to visit the underground rooms, the official (and largest) sites for visiting the underground Orvieto are three:
Orvieto Undeground
The Pozzo della Cava
Hadrian's labyrinth
Orvieto Underground
The Orvieto Underground site is located in Piazza Duomo, right next to the information point. Begin your tour in the sun-kissed Orvieto and observe the remains of a large oil mill which probably dates back to the second half of the fourteenth century: you will see the press and some millstones, one dated 1697; in front of the press you will see a compartment that could be one of the tanks once used for pomace after the first pressing. Continue your journey and you will see some functional structures of the mill and then again, stables, a hearth and a water pipe. You will also be able to see three vertical pedarole conduits, dating back to the Etruscan era.
The site organizes guided tours at times during the day included in the cost of the ticket.
Pozzo della Cava
The oldest well in Orvieto, the Pozzo della Cava is entirely dug into the tuff, which forms the cliff on which the city was built and has a depth of 36 meters, the last of which are occupied by spring water.
Next to the well it is possible to follow the path with a visit to an Etruscan cistern, some butti, a medieval cellar and the remains of ancient rock tombs. Also interesting are some rooms used in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to produce ceramics.
Hadrian's Labyrinth
This is a slightly smaller site than the others, but certainly no less fascinating. Located in the basement of the Il Labrinto di Adriano restaurant, it could be a valid solution to taste a good glass of Orvieto wine and then go down to the basement for a visit. On the site there are illustrative panels that will tell you the history of the place.
If You want to visit the city undrgroung see our experiences in Orvieto. Click here
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