The Orvieto Cliff Tells Its Story - The Orvieto Cliff Tells Its Story

This 5-kilometre itinerary, which takes about an hour and a half to complete, winds its way around the Orvieto Cliff, following the ups and downs that outline the profile of the tuff plateau. Part of Orvietano Environmental and Archaeological Park (PAAO), the route offers splendid views over numerous monuments overlooking the cliff, such as the Rocca Albornoziana with the adjacent Porta Soliana, and the Fountain of San Zeno connected to the Well of San Patrizio.

Then you reach the rock church of the Crocifisso del Tufo, from which you can enjoy a fascinating view over the rooftops of the necropolis of the same name, and the church of the Madonna del Velo, home to the Cliff Observatory and the Cave of Fossil Trunks, preserving plant remains millions of years old.

Among the tuff-carved streets of Orvieto, two ancient crafts embody the very soul of the city. Ceramic production, whose origins date back to the Etruscan era with the creation of the refined bucchero pottery, reached its peak in the Middle Ages, when the city became renowned for the production of majolica, as evidenced by the remains of medieval and Renaissance kilns visible near the Pozzo della Cava and along Via della Cava.

Alongside this craft, Orvieto lace, known as Ars Wetana, is a refined crochet tradition documented since the 17th century, which developed into a flourishing artisanal production in the early 20th century.

Orvieto, guardian of a vibrant enogastronomic tradition whose undisputed protagonist is the famous Orvieto DOC wine, is also the capital of the CittàSlow movement. Among the city’s traditional dishes, several baked specialities stand out, such as aniseed biscuits, tortucce, small fried dough fritters either sweet or savoury, and above all the famous lumachella orvietana, a savoury bread roll enriched with cheese and ham or guanciale, shaped like a snail. Originally a humble dish born from the reuse of leftovers, this speciality was officially recognised in 2025 as a Slow Food Presidium of Orvieto.

Throughout the year, Orvieto comes alive with a series of unmissable events, which are the perfect opportunity to visit the city. In spring, the Cantine Aperte (Open Wineries) events invite visitors to discover local wine cellars and producers through tastings of Orvieto and regional wines.

At Pentecost, the Festa della Palombella takes place, with a dove making its traditional flight to the canopy on the cathedral parvis. Over the same weekend, Orvieto in Fiore transforms the city into a riot of colours, with a flower and plant market exhibition and the Palio delle Infiorate e dei Balestrieri, involving the city’s four districts.

Another major religious celebration is Corpus Domini: on the Saturday before the feast, the Staffetta dei quartieri, also known as the Torch of Truth, retraces the journey of the Holy Linen to the Cathedral, now in the form of a sporting relay between 10 runners representing Orvieto’s 4 districts. On the following day, the Holy Corporal reliquary is carried in procession, accompanied by the grand Historical Parade.

In winter, during the Christmas period, the city hosts Umbria Jazz Winter, while the Pozzo della Cava becomes the enchanting setting of the “Nativity in the Well”.