- Duomo di Orvieto - The 13th-century Gothic cathedral is one of Italy’s greatest attractions. We shall only visit the exterior which provides a wide variety of subjects, materials, and textures to the photographer. There are mediaeval bas-reliefs of the Creation, Heaven and Hell; mosaics, alabaster windows, and much more. An ideal subject for a photo essay in its own right, for the perfect blog-post.
- Pozzo di San Patrizio - This is an option. The 16th century well is 50m deep with steep winding steps so it involves exercise. However, the experience is well worth the effort. The light changes as we descend to the depths. The increasing darkness (though it is electrically lit) provides a challenge to the photographer, thus the experience will be improved with the use of a tripod which we can provide. At the bottom, we cross a bridge over the water from where the view up the spiral shaft to the surface is a truly unique experience.
- Torre del Moro - At the crossroads at the heart of the old city stands the ancient clock tower where we meet for the start of the tour. As an option, we can scale the 50m tower. There is a fine view from the top.
- Chiesa San Giovenale - San Giovenale, one of the oldest churches in Orvieto, stands on a precipice at the extreme west of the city. From here we get a fine view across the valley towards Tuscany and Latium. William Turner painted his memorable ‘View of Orvieto’ from the hill opposite in 1828. This view has hardly changed. The interior of the church is covered with extraordinarily brilliant mediaeval frescoes.
- Piazza del Popolo - Some of the oldest buildings stand around this large square, the ancient heart of Orvieto, which in ancient times was the seat of the civil administration in the palazzo del Capitano del Popolo. Here twice a week the lively market sets up till around noon. The stallholders provide the photographer with the most wonderfully weathered faces, worthy of a Bruegel painting.
- Camera and tripod rentals available
Orvieto, among all the hill towns in Italy, is perhaps the most picture-perfect and simple to navigate. Primarily pedestrian-friendly and level, it can be comfortably explored on foot. The ancient streets and passageways consist of both towering palaces and charming, unassuming townhouses. Unforeseen delights are in abundance in Orvieto: turn that corner, and you’re greeted by the grand Gothic exterior of the cathedral; a Renaissance courtyard lays at the end of a passageway; an entrance to an ancient Etruscan grave lies over there. Your photography mentor, who has resided here for a decade and a half, has an intimate knowledge of the place. He has been instructing photography for two decades and has been a professional since he graduated from a college specializing in photography in 1977. The city walls provide breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding landscape covered with vineyards, olive plantations, and scenic farms and villas, spanning two regions: Tuscany and Umbria.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
