La piazzetta

HISTORY
Orvieto, historic town now well known worldwide, stands on a platform of majestic volcanic tuff, dominating the vast valley that surrounds it.
Inhabited since the times more remote, the town, which assumed names with the various dynasties and kingdoms that succeeded over the years, lived the famous etruscan period, of which Orvieto boasts the most precious archaeological evidence in Italy (necropoli del Crocefisso del Tufo), years in which it became a flourishing artistic and commercial center. The period of great pomp experienced a decline with the advent of Roman empire that devastated the city and steal it works of art and wealth. Other invasions marked the history of our city that then was slowly rebuilt and during high medieval age born the citadel of Urbs Vetus (old town).
Going forward in the years to Orvieto is the succession of peoples invaders as the Goths, the Byzantines, then the Lombards, who left traces in the aspects that still characterize our city. It is with the year 1000 Orvieto knew that the flourishing of life, expanding its urban fabric with the construction of fortifications, towers, palaces and prestigious churches. The period of continued prosperity and saw the city become Municipality, the population tripling, to establish a strong army, ally themselves with the powerful nearby cities like Florence and expand domains becoming, between 1200 and 1300, one of the most prestigious of central Italy with an undisputed military power. Paradoxically, born new internal conflicts between the lordships that were set up in cities and external, finally returning under the control of the Papal States, the destination alternative to Rome itself for many cardinals, bishops and popes in history.
We have news in the Napoleonic period and subsequently, in the second half of 1800, released by the Hunters of the Tiber, the city of Orvieto was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy.

TRADITION and CULTURE
Orvieto has a large amount of civil and religious traditions.
There are many events which are organised by our city and many others are hosted.
In addition to the above traditions, the city also hosts the most prestigious culinary knowledge. From tradition, and tastes of dishes once faced by new experiences of more refined cuisine.
Among the most important are:
-- The feast of Palombella, hold every year during Pentecost, and is a symbol of the Holy Spirit who descends from heaven upon the Apostles and Madonna. Festivities felt very, whose success is considered a good omen for the agricultural harvest the following year.
-- The turf race of the Palio dell'Oca, held the following Sunday of Pentecost. A large and desired victory contention between the horsemen of the two rivals quarters of the city (Pistrella and Cava).
-- The procession of Corpus Christi, a procession accompanied by over 400 listed in vintage costumes that tell the history of our city. On the occasion is exposed to the public the most holy Corporal, a symbol of the Miracle of Bolsena.
-- Umbria Jazz Winter, the jazz musical event par excellence, held in the Christmas period.
They participate in the biggest jazz personality in the world in an atmosphere of warmth and sonority reeling from culinary collaboration of the most prestigious restaurants in Orvieto.

MONUMENTS and PLACES
In the course of history have been erected in Orvieto some of the most significant monuments in the history of our country, symbols of battles, pomp and power that have characterized the past.
These include:
-- Duomo (Cathedral);
-- Church of St. Andrew;
-- Church of S. Giovenale;
-- Church of S. Giovanni;
-- Church of S. Domenico;
-- Soliano Palace;
-- Papal Palace;
-- Town Hall;
-- Palazzo dei Sette;
-- Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo;
-- Tower of Moro;
-- Tower of Maurizio;
-- Necropolis of Crocefisso del Tufo;
-- Necropolis of Cannicella;
-- Museum C. Faina;
... these to name only a small part of the wonders of the city of Orvieto.