Italy Day Dreams: Orvieto

One of the places on my "To Go List" is Orvieto. Orvieto is a small town in Umbria which is built on the top of a tufa cliff at 350 m above sea level. The town itself is less than 1 kilometre long and 800 metres wide. Orvieto has a history that dates back to the Etruscans.

One of the highlights of Orvieto is the underground city, a labyrinth of caves and tunnels that lie beneath the surface. Dug deep into the Tufo, volcanic rock, these hidden secret tunnels are now open to view through guided tours. The underground city boasts tunnels, galleries, wells, stairs, quarries, cellars, unexpected passageways, and cisterns all of which detail its creation over the centuries. Many of the homes of noble families were equipped with a means of escape from the elevated city during times of seige through secret escape tunnels carved from the soft rock. The tunnels would lead from the city palazzo to emerge at a safe exit point some distance away.

Events: Orvieto with Taste (L'arca dei Sapori)
Orvieto with taste is a national event in collaboration with Slow Food (of which Reed is a member). It takes place on the second weekend of October.

Orvieto Hotel Duomo-Vicolo di Maurizo 7, Orvieto Italy 05018; telephone 0763 341887