After a bus ride from Rome and a fanicular ride to the top of the hill, we arrived in the medieval town of Orvieto (old city). The town sits on a flat summit of volcanic tuff. Tuff is from the Italian word tufo, a type of rock made from volcanic ash.
A short walk down narrow streets lined with ceramic, leather, and shops selling truffles leads you to the church and tower. July is sale time in Italy. I did manage to buy a pair of sandals on sale, but passed on the ceramic. We still had Florence and Venice to visit.
Every little town in Italy is full of history. Our Disney guide told us an interesting story about the town during WWII. A British tank battalion had reached Orvieto and was greeted at the bottom of the hill by a German officer. This officer had visited the town. He expressed his concern that the beautiful Italian Gothic church, the Duomo of Orvieto would be ruined in battle. Both sides agreed with a handshake to move the battle away from Orvieto.
The history of the area predated the Romans. Mysterious Etruscans ruled the area from the 8th to 5th century B.C.
This Etruscan roots pin was one of many our Disney guides presented to each member of our traveling famiglia.
At just the right time our Disney guides treated us to gelato. They were always there, just like your mother, handing out wipes, water, and first aid.
Once we were refreshed from our gelato, we were ready to climb the Torro Del Moro. Forty seven meters high, it was not the worse climb I ever did.
At the top, the panoramic view was well worth it. The palazzo below, the town, and surrounding countryside were clearly visible.
I could have stayed for hours just looking out at the view, but our visit to Orvieto was only a short break on our way to our Tuscan B&B. Ciao Bellas,
Zelda
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