If ever a building was deserving of its spectacular location, the duomo (cathedral) of Orvieto is it. The duomo of Orvieto, one of the great buildings of the world, towers above the palazzi, villas and houses of Orvieto while the town itself is perched high on a tufa butte above the surrounding hills. The glittering façade of the duomo is thus visible for miles around. No one visiting Umbria or southern Tuscany should miss visiting Orvieto (which is in Umbria, not Tuscany).
The cathedral or duomo of Orvieto in Umbria
In fact, the the façade of the Duomo of Orvieto is one of the high points of Italian architecture. It was created to resemble a tryptich and is richly decorated in a profusion of polychrome marble, sculptures and mosaic. The middle portal and the central rose window are 14 C, designed by Andrea Orgagna. The triple naved interior is partly Romanesque in style, as in the transept. The presbyterium, a part of the church that was reserved only for the clergy, is Gothic.
The town of Orvieto has numerous other sights of interest and is especially pleasant to visit because it is car-free. As in Certaldo, access is via a funicular.
More Orvieto tourist information.
More about Orvieto and its Cathedral.
About Elena Spolaor
Although Elena was born in Venice, she was brought up in Tuscany and is a historian and frequent contributor to online articles about life in Tuscany and Umbria. Her specialities are Tuscan and Umbrian local history and folklore.
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