ITALIAN
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VACATIONS
HISTORY
ORVIETO
The name
Orvieto is derived from the 6th century A.D. name of "urbs
vetus" (Old City).
Set in a
picturesque and unique position on the terrace of a tufaceous
cliff with sheer dropping walls it is an important testimony
of the Etruscan period. The city maintains its now predominantly
medieval aspect and it’s artistic patrimony is best
represented by the spectacular 13th c. cathedral with a
façade enriched by marble bas-reliefs and mosaics
and a richly adorned interior with frescoes by Pietro Lorenzetti,
Gentile Fabriano and Luca Signorelli.
The
Etruscans
The earliest
evidence of life on the cliff dates back to the Iron Age.
The Etruscans settled there and transformed it into the
city of Velzna, which developed between the 7th and 3rd
century B.C. The civilization reached its height between
the 6th and 5th century. Velzna was invaded and razed to
the ground by the Roman's in 264 B.C.
Medieval
The area
remained relatively abandoned until the 6th century A.D.
when the Barbarian invasions of the cliff once more became
an ideal place for settlements. The city moved to a Lombard
feudal system in 1000, and the city was inhabited by number
of nobles, a great number of artisans ,shopkeepers and farmers.
Until
Today
Caught in
the constant struggle between the papal and imperial factions,
and consumed by the black death of 1348 , Orvieto was eventually
annexed by the Papal states. the city eventually became
residence of a number of popes in the 14th and 15th century
and started to regain its former splendor.
The city
was eventually annexed into the kingdom of Italy in 1860.
(points of
interest Orvieto)
History of Umbrian
Towns and Cities
click on the town
HOTELS IN ORVIETO
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for on-line booking
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