Diana Petterson 60 Days of Italy, European Continent, Italy

60 Days of Italy – Orvieto

My selfie with the Orvieto Cathedral where construction began in 1290 and dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Orvieto. (May 20, 2023)

Italy Day 31: An Apartment to Wash Clothes in Orvieto

Sometimes it’s the little things, like being able to wash your clothes in a washing machine inside your own apartment, that makes a travel experience more than the history, art or culture of a place…but just a normal day far away from home.

Not exactly a historical event, but after wearing pretty much the same clothes for a month, in an effort to pack light, clean clothes are as much of a delight as experiencing a historical painting or statue for the first time. It just feels good.

We’re only in Orvieto for three nights, but when you’re traveling for a long period of time, household chores like washing clothes, becomes a gotta do.

At home in Dallas, I have enough clothes to last me weeks without washing so being excited about washing clothes just isn’t a thing for me, at least not until now.

Clean clothes with more of Orvieto to come.

The exterior door of our apartment at 138 Corso Cavour in Orvieto. (May 18, 2023)
Alice standing at the front door of our second floor apartment in Orvieto. (May 18, 2023)
The living room and kitchen area, with a washing machine, at our apartment in Orvieto. (May 18, 2023)
My bedroom at our apartment in Orvieto. (May 18, 2023)
My bedroom closet at our apartment in Orvieto. (May 18, 2023)
My large bathroom at our apartment in Orvieto. (May 18, 2023)
Alice and I getting out for a short walk along Corso Cavour to find something to eat in Orvieto. (May 18, 2023)
A walk along Corso Cavour in search of ‘dunch’, our late lunch/early dinner in Orvieto. (May 18, 2023)
A walk along Corso Cavour in search of ‘dunch’, our late lunch/early dinner in Orvieto. (May 18, 2023)
A walk around Orvieto in search of ‘dunch’, our late lunch/early dinner in Orvieto. (May 18, 2023)
‘Dunch’ at Ristorante Cinese Peng Cheng along Corso Cavour in Orvieto. (May 18, 2023)

Italy Days 32: Underground Orvieto and more

For some reason, even though I have been to Orvieto before, and remembered liking it, this time, I just did not feel a connection. I thoroughly enjoyed Bologna, Arezzo and Perugia, places I have not been to before, but I didn’t feel even a sense of familiarity with Orvieto.

I of course remember certain things like the beautiful wood carving designs and of course the Orvieto Cathedral.

But, I think the real problem with Orvieto, wasn’t really Orvieto but the constant drizzle and overcast skies. I think the weather just really began to take a mental toll on me in Orvieto. And yet while I moan about the lack of sun and blue skies, 14 people were killed and thousands more were left homeless because of flooding in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, which Alice and I visited. Sending prayers and much love to the people of that stunning region of Italy as they recover from this disaster.

One thing for sure that I didn’t do when I was last in Orvieto was to visit its underground. Orvieto has more than 450 or so man-made underground caves and of course various other sites from my walks around Orvieto.

Here’s to seeing what Orvieto has to offer.

My selfie with a re-enforcing wall built when there was a cave-in in this section of the Orvieto Underground cave. (May 19, 2023)
Heading to the entrance of the caves of Underground Orvieto on a tour. There are more than 1,200 caves, tunnels, wells and cisterns created by man nearly 2500 years ago. (May 19, 2023)
The entrance to one of the caves of Underground Orvieto. There are more than 1,200 caves, tunnels, wells and cisterns created by man nearly 2500 years ago. (May 19, 2023)
The Orvieto Underground has more than 1,200 caves, tunnels, wells and cisterns created by man nearly 2500 years ago. (May 19, 2023)
An olive oil press in the Orvieto Underground. (May 19, 2023)
An olive oil press in the Orvieto Underground. (May 19, 2023)
The Orvieto Underground has more than 1,200 caves, tunnels, wells and cisterns created by man nearly 2500 years ago. (May 19, 2023)
The beautiful views of Orvieto from opposite the Orvieto Underground cave entrance.
The beautiful views of Orvieto from opposite the Orvieto Underground cave entrance.
The Toro del Moro in Orvieto stands in the heart of the city in the crossroads between Corso Cavour, Via del Duomo and Via della Costituente as a majestic center piece of these streets. (May 19, 2023)
The Toro del Moro in Orvieto stands in the heart of the city in the crossroads between Corso Cavour, Via del Duomo and Via della Costituente as a majestic center piece of these streets. (May 19, 2023)
The Palace of the Captain of the People in Piazza del Popolo in Orvieto was completed in 1875. (May 19, 2023)
The Palace of the Captain of the People in Piazza del Popolo in Orvieto was completed in 1875. (May 19, 2023)
The whimsical wood carved figurines along Via Michelangeli in Orvieto by Bottega Michelangeli. (May 19, 2023)
The whimsical wood carved figurines along Via Michelangeli in Orvieto by Bottega Michelangeli. (May 19, 2023)
The whimsical wood carved figurines along Via Michelangeli in Orvieto by Bottega Michelangeli. (May 19, 2023)
The whimsical wood carved figurines along Via Michelangeli in Orvieto by Bottega Michelangeli. (May 19, 2023)
The flower stand loggia at the Piazza della Repubblica in Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
The flower stand loggia connected to the Church of Sant’Andrea at the Piazza della Repubblica in Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
The flower stand loggia connected to the Church of Sant’Andrea at the Piazza della Repubblica in Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
The flower stand loggia connected to the Church of Sant’Andrea at the Piazza della Repubblica in Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
The Piazza della Repubblica in Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
The Piazza della Repubblica with the Church of Sant’Andrea, flanked by a 12-sided tower and to the right, the Palazzo Comunale or Town Hall. (May 19, 2023)
The Piazza della Repubblica with the Church of Sant’Andrea, flanked by a 12-sided tower and to the right, the Palazzo Comunale or Town Hall. (May 19, 2023)
The Palazzo Comunale or Town Hall in the Piazza della Repubblica in Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
The Palazzo Comunale or Town Hall in the Piazza della Repubblica in Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
Views at the Piazza della Repubblica in Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
Views of Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
Views of Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
Views of Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
Views of Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
Views of Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
Views of Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
A beautiful archway entrance across from the Orvieto Cathedral in Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
Alice about to partake of her stuffed pigeons with hazelnuts and Orvieto white wine at the Ristorante il Giardino da Giovanni in Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
And, me with my grilled beef steak and potatoes at at the Ristorante il Giardino da Giovanni in Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
My grilled beef steak and potatoes at the Ristorante il Giardino da Giovanni in Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)

Italy Day 33: The Spectacular Orvieto Cathedral & Dinner with a Friend

The one place that brought a sense of familiarity to me about Orvieto was the Orvieto Cathedral. It is a large 14th-century Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and it’s really stunning.

The lovely part about leisurely staying in Orvieto is that I was able to leisurely spend time outside and inside this dominantly striking cathedral.

My selfie with the Orvieto Cathedral where construction began in 1290 and dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Orvieto. (May 20, 2023)
A peek of the Orvieto Cathedral in Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
The Orvieto Cathedral in Orvieto. (May 20, 2023)
The Orvieto Cathedral in Orvieto. (May 19, 2023)
Exterior side view of the Orvieto Cathedral. (May 20, 2023)
Me standing in front of the Orvieto Cathedral. (May 20, 2023)
The central portal bronze door and newest part of the Orvieto Cathedral facade was created by the Sicilian sculptor Emilio Greco. The door depicts the Seven Works of Mercy from the life of Christ: giving a drink to the thirsty, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, burying the dead, visiting the imprisoned and visiting the sick. (May 20, 2023)
A close-up of the central portal bronze door of the Orvieto Cathedral which depicts the Seven Works of Mercy from the life of Christ: giving a drink to the thirsty, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, burying the dead, visiting the imprisoned and visiting the sick. (May 20, 2023)
The first bas relief on the exterior pier of the Orvieto Cathedral tells the story of the Old Testament with images depicting the history of Genesis. The installation of the bas reliefs began around 1331. (May 20, 2023)
The second bas relief on the exterior pier of the Orvieto Cathedral is the Jesse tree and messianic prophecies. (May 20, 2023)
The third pier scenes at the Orvieto Cathedral are from the New Testament with Abraham sleeping below includes episodes from the lives of Jesus and Mary. (May 20, 2023)
A close-up of the third pier scenes at the Orvieto Cathedral are from the New Testament with Abraham sleeping below includes episodes from the lives of Jesus and Mary. (May 20, 2023)
A close-up of the third pier scenes at the Orvieto Cathedral are from the New Testament with Abraham sleeping below includes episodes from the lives of Jesus and Mary. (May 20, 2023)
In the fourth bas relief on the exterior pier of the Orvieto Cathedral is the Last Judgement. Images of the damned and the resurrection of the dead. (May 20, 2023)
A close-up of the fourth bas relief on the exterior pier of the Orvieto Cathedral is the Last Judgement. Images of the damned and the resurrection of the dead. (May 20, 2023)
A close-up of the fourth bas relief on the exterior pier of the Orvieto Cathedral is the Last Judgement. Images of the damned and the resurrection of the dead. (May 20, 2023)
A close-up of the fourth bas relief on the exterior pier of the Orvieto Cathedral is the Last Judgement. Images of the damned and the resurrection of the dead. (May 20, 2023)
Inside the Orvieto Cathedral in Orvieto. (May 20, 2023)
The main altar inside the Orvieto Cathedral in Orvieto. (May 20, 2023)
A close-up of the main altar inside the Orvieto Cathedral. (May 20, 2023)
The gorgeous large columns inside the Orvieto Cathedral. (May 20, 2023)
The Apostle statues inside the Orvieto Cathedral were removed in 1896 during a restoration of the Cathedral until November 2019 when they were finally returned to their original positions inside the Cathedral. (May 20, 2023)
The statue of Saint Simon, by Vernardino Canetti in 1722, is one of the Apostles statues inside the Orvieto Cathedral.(May 20, 2023)
The statue of Saint Paul (close to the altar), by Francesco Moschino in 1556, is one of the Apostles statues inside the Orvieto Cathedral. (May 20, 2023)
The statue of Saint Peter, by Raffaello da Montelupo in 1557, is one of the Apostles statues inside the Orvieto Cathedral. (May 20, 2023)
This Pietà inside the Orvieto Cathedral by Ippolito Scalza was sculpted from a single piece of marble. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, looks down on grieving Mary with the body of Christ with the figure of Mary Magdalene behind the Virgin Mary. (May 20, 2023)
A side view inside the Orvieto Cathedral with its thick columns and arches. (May 20, 2023)
Looking towards the entryway of the Orvieto Cathedral. (May 20, 2023)
The Baptismal font inside Orvieto Cathedral. (May 20, 2023)
The San Brizio Chapel (also known as the Cappella Nuova and Signorelli Chapel) inside the Orvieto Cathedral began construction in 1408 and completed in 1444. (May 20, 2023)
The San Brizio Chapel (also known as the Cappella Nuova and Signorelli Chapel) inside the Orvieto Cathedral began construction in 1408 and completed in 1444. (May 20, 2023)
The San Brizio Chapel (also known as the Cappella Nuova and Signorelli Chapel) inside the Orvieto Cathedral began construction in 1408 and completed in 1444. (May 20, 2023)
The altar of the Chapel of San Brizio inside the Orvieto Cathedral. (May 20, 2023)
The fresco of the Deeds of the Antichrist by Luca Signorelli c. 1501 in the Chapel of San Brizio inside the Orvieto Cathedral. (May 20, 2023)
The Resurrection of the Flesh fresco by Luca Signorelli from 1499 to 1502 in the Chapel of San Brizio inside the Orvieto Cathedral. (May 20, 2023)
The Damned in Hell in the Chapel of San Brizio inside the Orvieto Cathedral. (May 20, 2023)
The Elect In Paradise in the Chapel of San Brizio inside the Orvieto Cathedral. (May 20, 2023)
The frescos of the Chapel of San Brizio inside the Orvieto Cathedral was started in 1447 by Fra Angelico and Benozzo Gozzoli, who executed two compositions (Christ the Judge and Prophets) on the vaults. But it was Luca Signorelli who completed the project. May 20, 2023)
A close-up of Christ the Judge fresco on the vault of the Chapel of San Brazil inside the Orvieto Cathedral by Fra Angelico and Benozzo Gozzoli; however, the other frescoes were by Luca Signorelli and his school. Christ in Majesty or Christ in Glory is the Western Christian image of Christ seated on a throne as ruler of the world and seen frontally in the center of the composition. (May 20, 2023)
The Pietà wall painting by Luca Signorelli in the Chapel of San Brizio inside the Orvieto Cathedral. (May 20, 2023)
Some of the beautiful tiled floors inside the Orvieto Cathedral. (May 20, 2023)
Walking around Orvieto. (May 20, 2023)
Walking around Orvieto. (May 20, 2023)
Walking around Orvieto. (May 20, 2023)
Walking around Orvieto. (May 20, 2023)
Alice and I had dinner with Charlotte, whom Alice met on a Rick Steves tour of Poland last year. Charlotte was on another Rick Steves tour, “Village Italy,” one that Alice and I took several years ago with a stop in Orvieto. It was so nice to meet Charlotte and have a nice dinner together at the FE3.0 (FEBO) Restaurant on Via Michelangeli in Orvieto. We shared a bowl of gnocchi with fresh white truffles and then individually, we ordered the lamb shank. (May 20, 2023)
We all shared a small portion of the gnocchi with fresh white truffles at FE3.0 (FEBO) restaurant on Via Michelangeli in Orvieto. This was delicious. I literally cleaned my plate. (May 20, 2023)
And, then we each ordered the lamb shank at FE3.0 (FEBO) restaurant on Via Michelangeli in Orvieto. Very tasty. (May 20, 2023)