We had a great time visiting Orvieto. We have passed it by train many times but never visited. Our landlady in Cortona, Maria, had a couple coming to stay for five days so we took advantage of that time to visit Orvieto. It is a very interesting town to visit and much larger than I had imagined.

It has one of the largest and most beautiful churches. Inside the church is the Capella Nova or Della Madonna Di San Brizio. This Capella has frescoes and paintings by friar Giovanni da Fiesole and Luca Signorelli.It is truly a beautiful sight. I was so amazed, and found it more beautiful than the Sistine Chapel! It is covered floor to ceiling and beyond in the most fabulous paintings and colors. you wouldn’t believe the amazing gold tones that shimmer even today!

John went on the underground cave tour, I chose to stay above ground! He said it was well worth the visit. There  are twelve hundred caves beneath the city. At one time many people lived down there and there were actually stores as well. They also used the caves to breed pigeons for sale for food. They also sold the dung for fertilizer. The caves were dug three thousand years ago. As there were so many caves being dug, the townsfolk made sure that large pillars were left intact to support the town above. During the war they used the caves as a bomb shelter.

While we were staying in Orvieto for the five days, we also went to Rome (separate post) and Civita di Bagnoregio (separate post).

We had a great time getting to know the town, the stores and restaurants. Had rented an apartment which was very cute, old stone walls, very comfortable. On our last night in town we went to the best restaurant we have found in all of our trips to Italy.  Everthing about it was superb from the view, the service to the best food ever!  le Grotte del Funaro, if you are ever in Orvieto!

We have been back in Cortona for two days now and have a lot to do!