If you’re in Orvieto, don’t miss the Pozzo di San Patrizio. This 16th-century well is not only an engineering masterpiece but also a magical place that literally and figuratively takes your breath away.
Commissioned by Pope Clement VII during a time when the city feared a siege, the well was designed to guarantee access to water deep below ground. Architect Antonio da Sangallo the Younger came up with a brilliant solution: a 62-metre-deep well with two spiral staircases twisting around each other. Donkeys once trudged down one side to fetch water and returned up the other, never crossing paths.
Today, you can follow in their hoofsteps, descending 248 steps as you slowly spiral into the earth. At the bottom, you’ll find crystal-clear water and a hushed silence. A moment to pause and admire both the genius of its design and the centuries of history echoing through its walls.
Opening hours & tickets
Check the official ticket page of the Pozzo di San Patrizio for the latest information.
Location
https://share.google/1xWHR13Ye2VaDw4vl
More about Orvieto
For more inspiration on what to see and do in this unique city, have a look at our Orvieto blog.
0 Comments