orvieto underground

This tour is not really grand or exciting, but it's a fascinating glimpse at the underground living that took place beneath Orvieto. We enjoyed learning about the Etruscan people and were impressed by the history of the place. We were the only two people on the English-speaking tour, but that was all right. The views from the walk to the start of the tour are just beautiful, as are some of the glimpses you get from openings inside. Our tour guide was friendly and interesting. Overall, it's worth doing.

Our guide for this tour, Rosita, was passionate and knowledgeable and brought the history of the underground to life. Limited space in Orvieto necessitated the excavation of work and storage areas under the inhabitants' houses. Different supplies were produced and were then traded throughout the town. Wells were dug deep down from the underground rooms. The food and water security meant inhabitants could shut down the town and survive outside attack. Part of the tour, near the end, there is a very low, narrow, winding stair and the guide warns you, so that you are able to wait this part out. The Etruscans who first started building the underground were small in stature and this is evidence of it. I do not like confined spaces, but during the tour you can see outside due to the prevalence of windows and I did not find it a problem. We bought Orvieto City attractions pass tickets from the Information Office. This attraction and many others of interest were on it, a worthwhile purchase.

We went to Orvieto for a day trip from Rome in October and enjoyed rather empty streets (although the streets around the main Cathedral were still pretty busy with tourists. We found out about this tour at the Information office and got the tickets for the tour at about 2 p.m. The guide was really nice and although the tour is rather short (I would say it is more like 40-45 minutes rather than an hour but since the price is under 10 Euros, it does make a good deal) it was worth it. And since it was starting to rain, it turned out to be a perfect idea instead of just looking for a shelter. Make sure to get some Ruffino Orvieto wine (you can always enjoy the tasting first)!

According to our guide, these underground spaces were all once private. Each house had a 'basement', more like a 'sub-basement' dug from the rock. Used for storage, especially of foods, wine, etc. because of the constant humidity and temperature.Except for the ones on the edge of town that were exposed to the sun. They were used to keep pigeons and the walls are pocked with pigeon holes. They were used for food (pigeon is still on the menu in Orvieto restaurants - no, we didn't try it though were tempted). Feathers used for stuffing mattresses, etc. Guano for fertilizer. Some were apparently carrier pigeons.Because they were valued, they were traded.Some of the private spaces have been linked to create the opportunity to tour them. Quite interesting and, for us at least, quite unique. Hadn't experienced anything quite like this before in our travels.Parts were used for bomb shelters during WWII, although the area above, including the Duomo, was actually not bombed (though the lower town was). Worth 90 minutes to experience it!

Orvieto is a great day trip from Rome, but one should not go there without taking this tour. Be sure to get reservations when you get to Orvieto as the tour is limited to approximately 30 people for each tour. This was very interesting and at 6 euro for about an hour tour, its something not to be missed.

You can't go to Orvieto without a look around the underground caves. There's 1200 cellar caves under the city but only a couple are public. It'll only take 45 minutes to take a guided tour to see them and get some geological history of the the area as well. Pick up your ticket for 6 Euros in the tourist info centre in the Duomo Piazza. We were lucky to pitch up 5 up minutes before the 4.15pm tour. Pigeon pie for dinner anyone?

Our hotel recommended this experience and we were very pleased. The guide spoke good English and was very knowledgeable about the history of the caves and the area. Some fascinating ingenuity by the early Etruscans to use the caves as a source of water, food and protection. The trips are timed during the day so make sure you go to the office ( located in front of the Duomo) to reserve your spot on one of the language specific tours. There is a bit of stair climbing and some narrow passageways, so be advised if you have any mobility issues or are uncomfortable in tight spaces.

Good tour guide lead us into the manmade caves under Orvietto. Mostly tour of dovecotes, could have been more interesting if it lead into other areas of the cave system. Worth doing though

You should not miss seeing the Orvieto Underground. We took a one hour guided tour of the Etruscan underground caves and paths that are over 2500 years old, and were dug deep into the tuffaceous rock, a volcanic limestone rock. The Etruscans had dug an intricate web of caves and numerous wells, so they were able to defend Orvieto for a long time. Under the city are 1200 caves of which we saw 2 of them. (About 600 of the caves currently have private homes over them and the homeowners utilize the space as wine cellars.) Tours are offered in many languages and we took an English-speaking tour. The tour itself is an easy walk and all you need are comfortable shoes. Tickets can be purchased in Piazza Duomo, near the Tourism Office. Highly recommend!!

This is a fascinating tour underneath the city of Orvieto. The Etruscan civilisation kick started this wonderful labyrinth of caves, then it was continued during the Mediaeval and Renaissance period. They ran out of room above ground, hence creating more space underneath. This space was used for various types of industry.The tour lasted around one hour. Tickets can be purchased from Piazza Duomo 23 and the tour leaves just outside their door. Cost was 6euros and 5euros for reduced rate. There is a tour in English, which we did. The guide we had was very passionate about the history of Orvieto and answered many questions thrown his way.Their brochure times are tours everyday at 11am, 12.15, 16.00 and 17.15, however, their website states, "during periods of greater tourist attendance, every 15 minutes."Other than English and Italian, according to their website, they conduct tours in, French, German, Spanish and Russian.For more information check their website www.orvietounderground.itIf you are in Orvieto this is well worth your time.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

"These underground caves were originally dug by the Etruscans over 2,000 years ago. The guided tour takes about 50 minutes and is part of the Orvieto Card. Highly recommend."

The tour takes a little bit more than an hour and is really interesting. Our guide was really well-prepared and told a lot about ancient Etruscans. It is very easy to buy the tour. The leaflets of the company are spread all around the city. If you don't find one, simply go to the magnificent Cathedral and you'll find tourist office in front of Museo Duomo. The tour is really very cheap, it cost only 5 euros for me. (I am a University student, so I'm not sure about the price of the ticket for those who do not have ISIC card.)

What a wonderful little side (well, actually underground) tour this attraction is. The modern Italian city of Orvieto is built on top of a huge outcropping of tufo, or volcanic rock, 1000 feet tall above the valley. It's been recently in the past few decades, excavated by archaeologists, to discover hundreds of caves where ancient Etruscans lived thousands of years ago. Fascinating, English-speaking tourguides explain what's been uncovered so far, (many more caves remain to be dug out), including ancient olive oil presses and "picciones", little pigeon coops where birds were raised for eating. Just on the side of the magnificent Duomo, the Underground Orvieto office sells tickets for tours, and this attraction should not be missed if you're visiting the City.

Fascinating experience. The underground tour, which was held in English, was excellent, a guide was very professional and tell us a lot of unknown facts about Etruscan and medieval Orvieto. You can imagine that the city is ever big underground and above. Therefore it is often called “vertical town”. It was certainly worth our money and time.

We visited Orvieto Underground on a blistering hot Summer day, so the cool subterranean exploration felt extra good. These caves are architectural marvels dug hundreds of feet below the city. While originally serving as sources of fresh water, they have subsequently served as storerooms, wine cellars, homes for domesticated homing pigeons (the origin of the term "pigeon hole" is readily apparent here), and WW II bomb shelters. The English-language guide did a good job of explaining all.