Tags
caves, italy, medieval, Orvieto, Orvieto Duomo, Photography, travel, Underground Tour
A fascinating perspective on the ‘city beneath the city’ in this marvelous medieval town of Orvieto.

Entrance to the underground caves
I found the Orvieto Underground Tour (leaving from the Piazza Duomo) was a fabulous way of absorbing much of Orvieto’s history while enjoying a most unusual facet of Orvieto’s history – Life Underground. This interesting tour was good value for €6
You need to book a tour in your preferred language in advance. This can be done at their office next door to the tourist information office which is opposite the Duomo. There are only 4 tours per day so reserve early. The English speaking tours were heavily booked.
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about Orvieto’s geology, history, culture and peculiarities, and made the 1 ½ hour tour memorable. The tour takes you through approximately 15 subterranean caves which were actually “basements” dug by the families who lived above during medieval times. Apparently there’s more than 1200 spread across the city. It’s truly amazing the work these people did with basic tools. As it turns out the constant temperature and humidity are ideal for storing olive oil.
Our guide was excellent ensuring our safety as well as providing in depth information about the early inhabitants and how each civilisation used the caves, up to today where they are used for storage for wine and olive oil.
This easy trip with only a few narrow stairways will take you beneath present-day Orvieto and 3,000 years into past history to the first inhabitants, who carved out a maze of underground rooms and passageways. Knowledgeable docents will relate its very interesting story, from the Etruscans up until now
Many of the caves have openings so there are good views of the valley and countryside. Most of the caves include pigeon holes for the pigeons that were encouraged to nest there and produce food for the town. The pigeon rookeries were a strategic source of meat during siege warfare as the birds would fly into the surrounding countryside and forage then return at night. There are no pigeons there now though.
The tour is suitable for all age groups. It was not too strenuous and it was remarkable. I highly recommend it.
We love Orvieto! We did not get to take the underground tour but will do so next visit. Thanks Lyn
Thanks George, it is so worth it, so easy and so affordable.
Fascinating!
Very fascinating Linda
Great yarn Lyn. Love the underground angle. We will be visiting next September — and will be in touch.
September is a perfect time to be in Italy. Enjoy. Thanks for your comment Lyn
Ciao Tesoro,articolo molto interessante..l’Orvieto Ipogea ,viaggio nella citta’ sotterranea,Like always a well written blog and beautiful pictures showing not only the subterranean city and the tunnels but also the beautiful hills around Orvieto.
Bacioni
Grazie Tesoro, è molto interessante. So glad you liked it. It is a very beautiful area. Bacioni
How very very interesting & fascinating.
Yes Kay, there is just so much to see if we have the time x
I had no idea about this! Darn – I might just have to back to Italy again!
Darn, I might just need to go back with you
Very interesting place to visit. Glad you do your homework whilst in Italia Lyn as we are all benefiting from your well researched travels.
Thanks Gail. My blog really keeps me focused and I learn so much more
Wonderful photos Lyn. I was in Orvieto but I did not see the underground city. Maybe next time :) 6 EUR is so cheap!
Yes Ishita. Maybe next time. Great value. Great adventure
Interesting and so different from the huge underground caverns I saw in Naples. Loved the bit about the pigeons – thanks!
Yes Georgie. The pigeon story is fascinating
Molto interessante! I keep meaning to get to Orvieto when I am Roma, but I always run out of time. Ciao, Cristina
Yes I understand Cristina. I had been thinking of doing a day trip to Orvieto from Roma for years. Finally I just went there for a couple of days. So much to see and not enough time hey. Lyn
Una vita non basta!
We stayed in Orvieto for two weeks this last summer. We enjoyed going for our walk to just sit in front of the stunning duomo just few steps from our apartment. I am fascinated by each of the architectural work and meaning of each art and statues. Not far from the duomo is the Orvieto underground. It is so complex pathways and fascinating.
We will be back. Ciao from Southern California
I can understand you planning to return. It is a wonderful town and in a great location. The duomo took my breath away. I did write a story about the Duomo. Thank you for reading my blog. Lyn
Looks pretty cool! :)
Very cool. Thanks for reading my blog
We love Orvieto. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Buon Natale!
Orvieto is an easy place to love. Buon Natale
On 25/12/2016 12:49 AM, “Travelling Italy with Lyn” wrote:
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Why has no-one mentioned the Etruscan necropolis just outside the city?
john f
I am not sure John. I have talked about it in several other posts on Italy but not in my Orvietto posts. Thanks for reading my blog
The other thing that you might have missed is what I think is called St Patrick’s well. This has two interleaved spiral stairways so donkeys can come up one whilst others go down the other. Absolute must see.
john
Yes, thanks John I did see it and agree, an absolute must see.