Orvieto was our first stop – the Duomo di Orvieto; Cattedrale di Santa Maria AssuntaDetail of the facade of the duomoOrvieto is an Umbrian hill town – this is a view of the town from our hotelTypical street scene in OrvietoLooking down into St. Patrick’s Well (Pozzo di San Patrizio), built by order of Pope Clement VII. He took refuge in Orvieto during the sack of Rome in 1527 (by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V) – Clement thought that the water supply would be inadequate if there was a siegeLooking up from the bottom of the well. It is 174 feet deep, with 248 steps in two circular staircases (one for descending, one for ascending)One interesting thing about Orvieto is that there is a vast underground system of tunnels and caves – many of the chambers were used as dovecotes. The doves could fly out during the day and feed themselves – they were a sort of substitute for chickensClassic view over MontepulcianoBagno Vignoni, which has a pool rather than a central square or plazaSienaDuomo di Siena, with the black and white patternDuomo di Siena – a better look at the black and white patternDuomo di Siena – the interior also has the black and white patternDuomo di SienaVineyard in Tuscany
Travels and Doings 