We took a break from traveling by car to local sites in the area and went into Orvieto for the whole day.
We walked from one end of the mountain town to the other. As is the custom in Italy on Sundays, the town had many families out for their midday meal. That tradition continues today in Italian families, all joining together on Sunday afternoon for dinner.
We walked along the southwestern wall that had dramatic views of the valley below. Orvieto is a small city perched on a rock cliff in Umbria, Italy. The rock cliffs reminded me of images of the alps.
The main attraction in Orvieto is its Duomo dating from 1290, that has a mosaic facade. Pope Leo XIII called it the Golden Lily of Italian cathedrals! On Judgement Day, the Duomo would be carried away to Heaven by its own beauty!!
The Duomo is known for its side chapel, The Cappella di San Brizio, painted between 1499-1504. The paintings of the Last Judgement influenced Michelangelo’s version in the Sistine Chapel, painted 40 years later.
When we were about to leave, the organist began a medley of music which filled the cathedral with heavenly sound! It lasted on for 5 minutes, but it was lovely.
We were required to show our COVID vaccine for entry inside any Italian church or museum.
The second attraction is the Saint Patrick’s well, The Pozzo di San Patrizio, a 16th-century well shaft with a double spiral staircase 500 steps down and up I hear (no for us during COVID). Additionally, there were a number of underground caves and network beneath the city dating back a thousand or more years to the city’s Etruscan roots, but again, we dare not venture into the close spaces for caution of COVID.
We found a number of shops that sold pottery similar to the ones that we had purchased when we were here a few years ago. Beautiful local ceramic artisans with unique patterns specific to Orvieto.
We ran into a guy with a green Boston Red Sox hat on and Mary picked up a conversation that was quite detailed regarding Boston’s chances in the postseason. I believe Mary may have met an individual of equal sports knowledge as he was a sportswriter for the USA today and now lives in Vermont!
Finding a place for lunch was a bit trying as many of the restaurants had reservations already made for family midday meals. We did manage to eat at a nice small restaurant that was completely packed on the inside, we sat outside under the tent and were entertained as one of the waiters prepared truffles on bruschetta for the table next to us – what a fragrance!
When we returned to the villa, the sun was shining on the Duomo looking like a glistening star!
We traveled down the hill to a new pizza restaurant with a direct view back to Orvieto. In fact, its pretty much directly under our villa! We were there a few minutes when it started to rain a bit. The rain was followed by a rainbow (and a small double), which lasted about 20 minutes. Pizza and jumbo Peronis were on order!
