Orvieto souterrain

Orvieto's Underground Wonders

Orvieto’s soft volcanic tuff plateau conceals a labyrinthine world spanning nearly three millennia. This collection highlights the city's subterranean heritage, featuring the Etruscan chamber tombs of Cannicella and the Crocifisso del Tufo. Beyond the cliff, the list includes the Roman river port of Pagliano and the Gola del Forello’s extensive cave systems. These sites reveal the evolution of the region from the Etruscan religious center at Campo della Fiera to a network of medieval wells and natural karst formations.

Orvieto's Underground Wonders — Carte

Stephen Bartlett Travels / CC BY 2.0

A

Necropoli Etrusca di Cannicella

Etruscan necropolis and sanctuary dating from the 6th century BC, featuring chamber tombs and a small temple dedicated to a female deity.

Adri08 / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Crocifisso del Tufo

The Crocifisso del Tufo is an Etruscan necropolis in Orvieto, Umbria, Italy.

C

ruins castle

Medieval fortress ruins situated on a panoramic ridge overlooking the Tiber River and the Gola del Forello.

D

Porto Romano di Pagliano

Archaeological remains of a Roman river port located at the confluence of the Paglia and Tiber rivers, once used for transporting goods to Rome.

E

Area archeologica, Campo della Fiera

Significant archaeological site identified as the Fanum Voltumnae, the federal sanctuary where the twelve Etruscan nations gathered for religious and political assemblies.

F

Grotta del Forello

Extensive natural cave system located within the Gola del Forello, characterized by its karst formations along the Tiber River.

G

Grotta dell'Orchetto

Natural cave located in the Orvieto countryside.

H

Grotta Fosso del Curso

Karst cave located near the Fosso del Curso.

I

Bucaione (o Cubo)

Natural cave formation.

J

Lo Sprofondo

Deep karst sinkhole and cave system located near the village of Titignano.

K

Buca del Prete (o della Parrocchia)

Cave system located in the rural hills surrounding Orvieto.

L

Buca del Marcaccio

Karst cave located in the Titignano area.

M

Cavita' Casa Palombara

Cave located near the Casa Palombara area.

N

Pozzo della Roccaccia

Deep artificial shaft or well located within the medieval ruins of the Roccaccia fortress.

O

Pozzo Badalocco

Natural cave or well formation near the Roccaccia area.

P

Grotta dell'Istrice

Small natural cave located south of Orvieto.

Q

Grotta Tiberina

Cave located along the banks of the Tiber River in the Forello Gorge.

R

Buca della Radice

Natural cave formation in the Gola del Forello area.

S

Buca della Topa

Small karst cave in the Forello region.

T

Grotta dei Cinghiali

Natural cave located near the Roccaccia ruins.