Orvieto

The city has an artistic and cultural heritage amongst the richest in Umbria. The Duomo, one of the most majestic architectural constructions in Italy, was designed by Lorenzo Maitani in the 13th century. Its magnificent gothic façade, with mosaics and bas-reliefs, has a beautiful rose window created by Orcagna. Inside, amongst the many works, there is a series of frescoes by Fra Angelico and Luca Signorelli, a true masterpiece of Italian painting from the 15th and 16th centuries. Among the oldest sacred buildings there is the church of San Giovenale built in 1004 which was enlarged in the 14th century, with its frescoes by the school of Orvieto; the church of San Giovanni, with its 16th century façade, was built in 916 over a theater by Constantine; the church of Sant’Andrea, originally from the 6th century, was rebuilt in the 11th century and completed in the 14th century; the church of San Lorenzo de’Arari, the church of San Francesco (13th century) and finally the church of San Domenico (13th century) which houses the tomb of the Cardinal de Braye by Arnolfo di Cambio.
An unusual visit to the well of San Patrizio is recommended, as it’s a masterpiece of engineering (1527-1537) by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger to supply water to the town. It’s 62 meters deep and is formed by two independent spiral ramps built in such a way that those descending to fetch water never encountered those ascending.