Location, accessibility and transportation

Orvieto is situated along the A1 Autostrada, Italy’s principal north/south highway, and is approximately one hour by car from Rome, 1 ½ hours from Florence, and 1 ½ hours from Rome’s Fiumicino/Leonardo da Vinci airport ( Italy’s primary international and transcontinental airport with direct flights to and from many of the world’s major cities). By rail, Orvieto boasts 20 direct daily trains, Mon – Fri, to and from Rome (many Orvieto residents commute daily to Rome), and 16 direct daily connections, Mon – Fri, to and from Florence (with minor weekend differences, reflecting lack of early morning commuter traffic, but accomodating additional tourist needs). In addition, several of these trains proceed to or arrive directly from cities like Milan, Trieste, Venice, Bologna and Naples. For travelers’ convenience, taxis are available at Orvieto’s station throughout the day and evening. And there is also a Funicular which leaves from the station and connects with frequent small buses to arrive at strategic points (for example the Piazza del Duomo and Piazza Repubblica) within the historic part of the city. Finally, there are agencies of major car rental companies located within easy walking distance of the railway station (telephone first to be sure of agent and auto availability).

Atmosphere and People

Orvieto is a small city, with somewhat more than 20,000 residents. The slightly more than casual observer, therefore, is surprised to discover how much it offers, not only for the passing tourist, but also for the full or part time resident. To begin with, it is extremely conveniently located, while not being crowded. It is historic, but very well maintained, with several pedestrian areas in and around the historic center, and ample, inexpensive and conveniently located parking in and around town. Orvieto, as a relatively important historic and current hub also for the surrounding Umbrian countryside , is of course a modern city with a full range of services. But it is also a town which is not hectic. Its people are still traditional enough in their mentality to conserve for the town an atmosphere which, while certainly cordial and lively, is not however frenetic. Orvieto is still a town of honest master craftspersons, artisans, builders/restorers, and shop owners; and it is a town where people with a traditional service mentality work hard for themselves and for others in various other trades, professions and administrative walks of life. In short, Orvieto is still a town where one can be confident that a commitment to property ownership and, why not, the investment of a bit of emotion, will both over time be more than well rewarded.

History

Orvieto’s history begins almost three thousand years ago, between the 9^th and 8^th century B.C., when the Etruscans first occupied the rock on top of which the town subsequently developed. With its economy revolving around the production of bronze ware, ceramics and wine (the latter two having remained important activities to this day), the town in time flourished as an important center of the Etruscan kingdom. And its strategic location later placed it in the forefront of resistance to Roman expansion. It was, in fact, razed to the ground by the Romans in the 3^rd century B.C. Around 500 A.D., the town was invaded and occupied by the Goths and later by the Longobards, leading towards the 11^th century, when it became an independent City State. In the 14^th century it was subjugated and incorporated into the Papal State, ultimately as the capital of one of its five provinces, until being incorporated into the Italian kingdom in 1870. There are still Etruscan ruins and artifacts which may, if one wishes, be viewed in museums and sites located in and around Orvieto. But what is impossible not to observe is that its city center, which sits atop a prominent and imposing sandstone rock, is a well maintained, living and vibrant monument to the history from medieval times of what is today a modern and active Italian regional center.

Hotel Accomodations

Orvieto, for those who visit for tourism or relaxation, or for those who need a comfortable place to stay when coming to check on the progress of their property restructuring or restoration, offers 23  Hotels, 11 Bed & Breakfasts, and several Agriturismi (hotels with restaurants located amidst vineyards, olive groves, wheat fields, woods and pastures outside Orvieto’s main residential area). You can choose accommodations in town or, if you prefer, in the surrounding countryside, in historic sites dating back to medieval times or in more recent and modern buildings,  and with levels of comfort and price ranging from the more simple to Four Star rooms and suites.

Cultural events and conference services

Orvieto is host to two internationally well known major events, as well as several important historic, folkloristic and religious celebrations, in addition to a variety of periodic cultural and professional conferences.

Best known is Umbria Jazz Winter, which begins a few days after Christmas and ends a few days after the New Year, and which this year celebrated its 17^th annual edition. This lively festival features concerts by some of the world’s best and most sophisticated jazz artists, and brings a large jazz loving public to the city.

Then there is the event, usually held in mid October, which is dear to the hearts of lovers of a relaxed, local way of life and of good food. Orvieto some years ago was  selected as a Slow Food city by the now internationally prominent Slow Food Association, which returns here periodically to celebrate its culinary values during a weekend festival.

Of the other, less internationally known festivals, one of the most colorful is the Corpus Domini, which celebrates a 14^th century local religious miracle also with a beautiful procession through the town center to the Cathedral  by hundreds of men, women and children, dressed in period  costumes representing the various historically existing artisans’ associations. Then there is the Palombella festival, celebrating the Pentecost, as well as weekly open air markets,  monthly antique fairs, and recreational, folkloristic (an example is the Palio dell’Oca, for which the main event is…..) and sporting meetings, which draw various dedicated publics from all over Italy.

Finally, throughout the year there are many ad hoc private and publicly sponsored cultural events such as concerts, painting and photography exhibits. And there are courses available in music, visual arts, cooking, ceramic crafting, etc., as well as some university and Graduate level seminars in selected Italy related academic subjects.

All these are housed in public historic buildings like the Palazzo del Popolo, in the Mancinelli theater, in the beautiful headquarters of the Fondazione CR di Orvieto (situated across  the square from the church of San Francesco and from the city’s library), in the Orvieto Study Center (Orvieto Studi), or in conference facilities located in various other sites including several of the city’s hotels.

Restaurants and Pubs

Orvieto boasts well in excess of 100 locales registered with the local Chamber of Commerce as restaurants, agriturismi with restaurants, trattorias, pizzerias, coffee bars or pubs. Several of these are described in the Michelin Guide and in the prestigious Italian restaurant guide, Gambero Rosso, and many can be viewed on their individual web sites. These range from those which serve the simple and tasty modern fare found throughout Italy, to many which specialize in traditional local dishes using strictly local ingredients, to a few which are known for their high level, sophisticated adaptations of Italian cuisine.

Wines and Foods

Food and wine in Orvieto are important. They are important historically (wine production goes back almost three thousand years) and economically. And they are important emotionally. It is very common to hear an “Orvietano” opine that “we like to know what we are eating”. This translates into something like “if we know who produced it and where it was produced, then we can be more confident that it is made with genuine, home grown, healthy ingredients. And that’s what we feel more comfortable eating.”

This attitude, beyond being a consideration in the choice of food items for purchase, is reflected in the fact that many in Orvieto still cultivate their own small plots with vegetable gardens, fruit trees and grape vines (for home wine consumption as well as eating). Many harvest their own olives in November and produce their own olive oil for sale as well as personal consumption; and they do so with passion while being well aware that such very small “farmer” production is not always a money making proposition.

On the other hand, larger scale food and wine production, and in particular vineyards and wine production, have been pillars of Orvieto’s economy and of that of the surrounding area since Etruscan times, then throughout the reign of ancient Rome, and down to the present day.

By the way, while, as an example, Orvieto Classico has long been an internationally well considered white wine, it is not as well known that for years now many Orvieto area vineyards are also producing very highly regarded reds. These are served of course in Orvieto’s restaurants and are available for tasting, and obviously for purchase, in specialist shops, as well as at the many local vineyards where they are produced.

Finally, this web site is not the best place to introduce people to the variety of traditional foods (meats, cheeses, vegetables, fruits, erbs, etc.) produced from locally grown products as well as locally found wild game and wild vegetables. Come visit, have a look, and have a taste for yourself!