orvieto

Orvieto is an historically rich town built precariously on a cliff which is the home to a network of 1200 man-made caves. You can reach Orvieto by train from Roma in just over an hour. The caves, mostly privately owned, were dug by various different societies throughout history dating back from around 500BC right up to the early 20th Century. The caves were used for constructing wells, sourcing building materials, olive oil production, pigeon breeding, shelter from WWII bomb raids and more recently wine cellars. Orvieto also boasts an impressive Gothic cathedral begun in 1290. The Torre del Moro (Moor’s Tower) is my pick of the ‘things to see and do’, offering a 360 degree view of the town and its surrounds, provided you are willing to climb up the 250 stairs to get to the top.