Photogallery of Orvieto, Italy

The miraculous city of Orvieto is situated in the heart of Italy. This is a truly blessed settlement surrounded by beautiful nature. Vineyards only add charm to this place. Together with silence and harmony, they make Orvieto an attractive destination for a large number of foreign guests. The city is relatively small, nevertheless, local people can be truly proud of their motherland. The atmosphere in Orvieto has obvious mystery, so no wonder why guests of this Italian city are so eager to unleash the secrets of the ancient settlement. An excursion in Orvieto is like a journey to medieval Italy. No progress and changes in modern life could kill that special charm. The first settlement on the site of modern Orvieto appeared during the antique period. At that time, this city was associated with another important settlement, Velzna. The two cities were important settlements in the Etruscan civilization. In the 3rd century BC, the Romans captured the territory of Orvieto. When the Roman Empire collapsed, the bishop’s residence, which previously had been in Bolsena, was transferred to Orvieto. Goths and Lombards controlled the city until the 10th century. After that, a self-governing commune was established in Orvieto. Starting from 1201, the city self-governance was made through a podesta. Such noble families as the Monaldeschi, Filipescu, and Alberici were the most influential in the process of making important political decisions. Only the last dynasty out of these … Read further