Orvieto

Orvieto stands atop a volcanic tuff plateau in the Umbria region of central Italy, close to the borders with Tuscany and Lazio. The town is dominated by its Gothic cathedral, the Duomo, notable for its gilded mosaic façade and the frescoes by Luca Signorelli in the San Brizio Chapel. Beneath the town lies a network of caves and tunnels originally carved by the Etruscans and later enlarged over the centuries, now accessible through guided tours known as Orvieto Underground. St Patrick's Well, with its distinctive double spiral ramps, is another notable feature of the town's architecture. Orvieto is also known for its white wine, Orvieto Classico, produced in the surrounding vineyards. The pedestrianised historic centre is easily explored on foot, with medieval lanes, quiet squares and views over the valley below. A funicular connects the town to the railway station at the foot of the plateau. Its location makes it a convenient base for exploring Umbria and southern Tuscany, set within the rural, wine-growing countryside typical of central Italy.