Orvieto - Duomo

Orvieto is an ancient town built on top of a huge (one mile long by a half-mile wide) rock thrusting out of a large valley formed by an ancient volcanic eruption (that created the huge lake in Bolzano just to the south). There are at least 1200 caverns honeycombing the rock that have been used as dwellings, tombs, cisterns, storehouses, and wine cellars since Etrusan times. The town is built of tufa, a rock mined from the hill beneath, so looks beautifully appropriate for its setting. Although there are cobblestone streets and some cars, it is primarily a pedestrian city. I will love exploring all the interesting little alleyways and admiring the views of the valley below that are filled with vineyards.
Orvieto is also home to the largest Medieval cathedral in Italy. The exterior is given a striped effect by the choice of stone. I especially love the amazing bronze doors with their gorgeous patina. There are some lovely frescos inside, pretty stained glass, and mosaic floors, but my favorite are the windows filled with translucent alabaster in all sorts of patterned warm shades. We’ll have a tour of the place tomorrow morning. We had a group dinner at a wonderful restaurant selected by Bill and Kristi who have done such a wonderful job of organizing and hosting this week in Orvieto.