Famous for its colourful ceramics and gleaming cathedral, Orvieto, one of Umbria's grandest hill towns, sits majestically high above the valley floor, perched on a plateau of tufa rock with the outline of its world famous Duomo visible for miles around. The Gothic façade of the cathedral is one of the great masterpieces of the Late Middle Ages, dramatically striped in white travertine and greenish black basalt, similar in many ways to the Siena Duomo and other central Italian cathedrals of that era. Construction started in 1290 but took almost four centuries to finish. Several important architects and artists worked on the duomo over the centuries, resulting in the highly styled building filled with beautiful mosaic floors, elaborate altars and colorful frescos that remain today.
In addition to the famous Duomo, Orvieto has been acclaimed for its gorgeous ceramics for hundreds of years, along with other Umbrian ceramic centres such as Deruta and Gubbio. One of the first stops on any of our trips to Italy, we always buy a few pieces to enjoy while staying at our villa, and to bring back as gifts for Christmas. Orvieto has a number of great restaurants, including the acclaimed Ristorante al Pozzo Etrusco da Giovanni. Named after an ancient Etruscan well that graces its basement, the restaurant which is tucked away in a 15th-century building, specializes in traditional Umbrian cuisine. All the pasta is made by hand every day using unrefined stone-ground flour and organic grains harvested in Umbria, including tagliatelle, strangozzi, gnocchi, pappardelle, and their specialty, il cappello del carbonara which is tortellino stuffed with ricotta, pepper and pancetta, seasoned with egg yolk and crispy pancetta. Also known for their fabulous local beef and extensive wine list, dining at Al Pozzo Etrusco is a delightful Umbrian treat in the heart of Orvieto.
Al Pozzo Etrusco's menu curiously presented in a wooden frame
Freshly baked bread
Glass of chilled Valdobbiadene extra dry Prosecco
Our server inspecting the cork of the Sagrantino to make sure the wine is perfect
The cork passed the nose test
A fine bottle of 2014 Montefalco Sagrantino by Antonelli
Antipasto del Pozzo Etrusco
Flan di pecorino e curcuma in crema di zucchine con fiori di zucca farciti
Fiori di zucca farciti con miele
Our two delicious appetizers
Tagliata di manzo con pere stufate e pecorino di Norcia
Bistecca di manzo alla griglia
Patate al forno con finocchietto fresco
Verdura cotta di stagione
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