Orvieto Italy - the cathedral is gorgeous

Today, six of us took a train from Viterbo to Orvieta, a medieval hill top town in Italy. The town has a funicular train system that lifts you from the train station to the top where the town is located. Orvieto has Etruscan tunnels that were dug under the town (called the underground city). The tunnels were dug as a place to produce olive oil (steady climate) and to hide from the enemies. The city also has a huge cathedral with impeccably detailed front, bronze doors with sculpture engraved into the doors, gargoyles on the walls, and the cathedral  was made from a white and black stone which gives the cathedral a striped look.

A miracle occurred in the church in the 1200's.  A priest was saying mass and the consecrated host (body of Christ) began to bleed all over the alter. It was deemed to be a miracle by the Pope. St Thomas Aquinas was alive during that time and was sent by the Pope to verify the events happened. The miracle occurred in Bolsena. The white alter cloth is displayed in the side alter of the cathedral and I could see blood droplets on it.

The Cathedral in Orvieto

Finely decorated window in the front

The Courtyard by the cathedral

Ok had to post this one. I noticed the pavers in Orvieto are triangular
not square like the other cities. This pic shows their size compared to my feet.

Beautiful view near the Underground City

Another beautiful view of the countryside from the top of Orvieto..
Notice the castle in the upper left?

The Castle. We all made plans to buy it and turn it
into a Bed and Breakfast. All six of us would live there. And
we all love to dream too!

Part of the underground city where the Etruscans made olive oil, hid from
attackers and raised pigeons. These are pigeon dwellings. After the birds
settled in, the Etruscans would eat them!! Easy pickings!

On the Cathedral. Very detailed sculpture and motifs

This is the front door of the cathedral. Yep it was carved in bronze.

Cute little ceramic store in the village

Awsome

This is the funicular we took to ride up to the city. The city sits on top of a large hill

Orvieto makes great white wine. It tastes dry with a special
hint of fruit. Similar to a sauvignon blanc except fruitier.

Gargoyles to keep the evil spirits away, and to remove water after it rains

Knight in shining armor 

A very quaint road with stairs. We see this a lot.

A flying cow. Well I guess we can say "when cows fly!" now.

We toured the underground city and the cathedral. Then we stopped for gelato and looked in the shops. The town sells painted porcelain plates, dishes etc. The town also had some olive wood utensils and kitchen items for sale. Pictures are posted to show you the city and the beautiful duomo cathedral.