Orvieto is a charming and historic town located in the Umbria region of central Italy. Perched atop a volcanic rock cliff, Orvieto offers some of the best panoramic views of the surrounding countryside in Italy. Founded over 2000 years ago, this town is renowned for its well preserved medieval architecture, rich cultural heritage and its role as an important centre for art, history and religion. The blend of ancient architecture and mesmerising views is why Orvieto is one of my favourite Italian cities.
The birth of Orvieto can be traced back to the Etruscans which reached its peak development between the 6th and 4th century BC, declining through Roman times. With its ancient streets and charming piazzas, walking through Orvieto is like taking a step back in time.
The most prominent reason to visit Orvieto is to see the Cathedral. This Cathedral is a masterpiece of Italian Gothic architecture. The facade can be appreciated on many levels; from its grand structure when viewed from afar, but it’s most famous for its rose windows and intricate mosaics. What’s also unique is the use of a striped pattern of light and dark stone facing the exterior and interior surfaces, which is typical of the Romanesque style. Instead of using costly marble like that of the façade, travertine and basalt were used.
The interior is equally impressive, featuring works by renowned artists such as Luca Signorelli and Francesco Mochi, depicting scenes from the last judgment. These frescoes are a testament to Renaissance artistry, influencing countless artists over the centuries including Michelangelo and his work in the sistine chapel.
Ancient Streets
The ancient streets of Orvieto are a dream for street photographers, or those wanting to just step back in time and explore. The cobbled pathways wind through the city and are adorned with medieval buildings, cozy bars and quaint shops.
Ancient Italian cities like Orvieto create a relaxing, yet inspiring ground for street photography. I love simply wandering around with my camera, waiting for the right scene to appear. Street photography is a great way to truly immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the town; to observe the life of the locals and also paying attention to small details of the town that you wouldn’t otherwise notice if you weren’t photographing it.
I love to wander the streets with a camera in hand, stopping off at a bar for a wine or coffee along the way. It’s truly an enjoyable experience. The best time for street photography is during the early morning and late afternoon, when the streets are bathed in golden light. Most Italian towns such as Orvieto are lit up very beautifully at night, so it’s also worthwhile engaging in street photography after dark as well.
The surrounding Countryside
Perched upon a plateau, Orvieto offers some of the most breathtaking panoramic views in Italy. The sweeping scenery of the surrounding countryside is reason enough to visit this town.
The main viewpoint is located at the Rocca Albornoziana, located here. From there, you can gaze out at the expansive Umbrian countryside, adorned with rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards. If you’re spending a night in Orvieto (which I highly recommend), I suggest waking up early and watching the sun rise. The morning we visited, we were blessed to see the plateau was hugged by a beautiful morning fog, as you can see by my photos below take on my drone. It was such a magical scene, and I truly felt like I had made it to heaven.
Orvieto is an underrated town that truly ignited my passion for Italy. With its ancient streets, remarkable cathedral and breathtaking scenery- Orvieto is a city that is certainly worth visiting.
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I am a photographer based in Torquay, an hour south of Melbourne. I have wide range of experience in landscape, portrait, aerial and construction photography.
I have spent extensive time overseas, attending workshops with world renowned photographers, refining my photography style and knowledge.
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