Day #9 of “31 Days of Orvieto” features my favorite church in Orvieto, Chiesa di San Giovanale. Built in 1004 (out-dating the Duomo by almost 300 years), it’s located in the Medieval part of town with expansive views of the countryside. What attracts me to this treasure is its austere beauty…and it’s ancient and illustrious past – they say it was constructed atop an Etruscan temple dedicated to Jupiter – which only adds to the mystique. Do the giant iron “belts” hold the columns together? The recent renovation brings the frescoes to life – obscured for years by white lime used to disinfect the church during the ‘Black Plague’. Like! Share! Visit!
View from the wall outside the Church of S. Giovanale
…Lago di Bolsena, that is. Just a 20-minute drive from Orvieto, this oval-shaped crater lake (with a quaint medieval village) was formed from a volcanic eruption 370,000 years ago. Geologist believe that a piece of the volcano was catapulted nearly 30 km and landed at the site that Orvieto was later built (hence the town’s nickname “la Rupe). Etruscans found the volcanic ‘tufo’ perfect for digging wells and caves…and the rest is history! Find out more about Orvieto and its surrounding sites when you visit! Like! Share! Visit!
Want a bird’s eye, panoramic view of Orvieto and its surrounding Umbrian countryside? Just climb the 271 steps (45m) to the top of Torre del Moro. The medieval tower sits at the ‘intersection’ of Corso Cavour and Via del Duomo and from it’s terrace you’ll see it all…but cover your ears at the hour, quarter- and half-hour, for the bells chime LOUDLY. Who needs a wristwatch when you live in Orvieto? Share! Like! Visit!
Some people live where they happened to be born, where they got a job or where a spouse is from. But some of us, like my friend Brian, chose our home. Brian is an example that it’s never to late to realize a dream or change your life. I once asked him, “How do I explain to people why I chose to live here in Orvieto? His answer is now mine: “It’s easy, just tell them it’s BECAUSE YOU LIKE IT!” Live, dream and do! That’s my friend, Brian.
Want to know more about Brian? Read a post I wrote about him back in 2012 here.
When you walk up the Corso Cavour from the funicular station, you’ll find the neoclassical, 560-seat Teatro Mancinelli. It hosts international theatre companies, avant-garde, jazz, dance and music. But, it’s the Fracassini masterpiece – a painted curtain (completed in 40 days) depicting the 535 AD event when a Byzantine army drove the Goths from Orvieto – that will blow your socks off! Visit the theatre for a self-guided tour and then afterwards, have a coffee or ‘lo spritz’ at the beautiful Caffe Del Teatro Mancinelli. Share! Like! Visit!
Did you know that: 1) 2,500ish year-old Orvieto sits on volcanic tufo cliffs; 2) The Pope(s) slept here; 3) There’s an underground city with as many as 1,200 Etruscan caves and wells; 4) It was sacked by Julius Caesar’s Rome in 280 BC; and 5) The famous funicular railway was once operated by a water-ballast counterbalanced system?
Want to find out more? Come! Visit and Share the “31 Days of Orvieto” with your friends!
Day #3 of “31 Days of Orvieto” highlights the ARTISAN.
Our friend Steven Brenner of Cross-Pollinate & The-Beehive has made a film showcasing Orvietano (Roman by birth) Federico Badia, a young man who creates handmade shoes and other leather goods. The film asks the question: What is the future of Italy’s artisans? Let’s hope the answers is that there is a future for Federico and other’s like him in Orvieto and throughout the world! Share if you care about and support fine craftsmanship and a deep dedication to one’s work. Like! Share! Visit!
DAY #2 of “31 Days of Orvieto” is entitled INSPIRATION.
Roman-based artist Roman-based artist Kelly Medford is a frequent visitor to our town. Other great artists who’ve found their muse here: J.M.W. Turner, Umberto Prencipe and Luca Signorelli…. Come to Orvieto and be inspired too!
As some of you may know, during the entire month of July, I created a Facebook Project called, “31 Days of Orvieto”. About half-way through the month, however, I suddenly realized that many of Orvieto or Bust’s followers aren’t on Facebook (or haven’t ‘friended’ me YET – hint, hint). In order to rectify the situation, I’ve decided to repeat the project here during the month of August. If you’ve already seen the posts on Facebook, I want to apoligize in advance for the duplication. For those who are seeing “31 Days” for the first time, I hope you’ll enjoy them at least half as much as I’ve enjoyed creating them!
And here we go again…
It’s DAY 1 of “31 Days of Orvieto”! I have a theory that if people knew about Orvieto and it’s splendors, they would certainly come to visit us. Tourism is down in our little town, so I’ve decided to start a campaign to spread the word about Orvieto’s greatness. You know me – I’m all about promoting my adopted home – so every day in the month of August, I will post an article, a photo, a story, a tid-bit about this wonderful place. If you love Orvieto and/or would like to support my efforts, please take a moment to read, and if you are so inclined, share the posts and, in doing so, help me create an “Orvieto buzz”. Go, Orvieto, Go!!!!
Orvieto or Bust: 