Orvieto

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A hillside and we mean hilltop really, town in Umbria. A funicular took you to the top of town, but we drove right into the centre in front of the cathedral. It was what you would imagine, four or five story terracotta bu8ildings, narrow lanes, people sitting in door ways, cobbled streets, a cathedral painted from tip to toe with biblical scenes and lots of al fresco dining. Unfortunately we arrived at English lunch time, which is Italian siesta, so most places were closed, but we went to a winery just in front of the cathedral that had good home made lasagne and little pizzas for the kids. Orvieto is famous for its wine, and we can see why. After a little white wine, we decided to make Jays day and get on some public transport, a bus to see some caves. Historically, on this hill side town, a huge expanse of caves exists for various reasons during the ages. We went to some where pottery had been fired, made it a bit of an underground adventure for the kids, (Jay a little apprehensive, memories of his castle terror we think). Then after the bus trip back to the cathedral had an ice cream on its steps. Ovieto wanted to go inside to see, Asha asked to join her, so the two girls did, and wow it was amazing, but was more amazing was Asha. As soon as she stepped into the cathedral she slowed down, she looked up and said “Mummy, look at those amazing rainbow lights coming through the window, it’s so pretty”, she then went and sat on bench in the church, looked around and pointed out baby Jesus. Then is a sudden flash said “Mummy, we must get daddy and Jay, this is so amazing”.

As we left Orvieto, the town started to come into its own, shops and restaurants opening, siesta was over, but so was our day, so we headed home.

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Photos

Main square
View looking from the back (alter) end of the Cathedral. Restaurant we had lunch at on the left, gelato place we finished at on the right

On the road
Well...hard to be anywhere else in Orvieto!

Cathedral
Impressive stuff. Amazing detail and all side walls interleaved white and black stones. Not paint, just different stone

Cathedral front
Main entrance to Orvieto cathedral