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Pozzo di San Patrizio: A Renaissance Engineering Marvel

Descend into history at Orvieto's Pozzo di San Patrizio, a 16th-century engineering marvel with a unique double helix staircase.

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The Pozzo di San Patrizio (St. Patrick's Well) in Orvieto is a remarkable feat of 16th-century engineering, commissioned by Pope Clement VII to ensure a water supply during times of siege. Descend into the depths via its unique double helix staircase, a marvel of Renaissance design.

A brief summary to Pozzo di San Patrizio

  • Monday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Friday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-4:30 pm

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes as you'll be descending and ascending 248 steps.
  • Bring a light jacket or sweater, as the well can be cooler than the outside temperature.
  • Purchase tickets online in advance to avoid potential queues.
  • Allow at least 1-2 hours to fully experience the well and take in the surrounding views.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Piazza Cahen, where the funicular arrives, the entrance to Pozzo di San Patrizio is a short walk. Head towards the gardens, and you'll see the cylindrical structure marking the well's entrance. The ticket office is located next to the funicular station.

  • Public Transport

    From Orvieto Scalo (the train station), take the funicular to Piazza Cahen. The funicular ride takes a few minutes, and from Piazza Cahen, the well is a short walk. A single funicular ticket costs around €1.30.

  • Parking

    If arriving by car, park in one of the designated parking areas. Piazza Cahen has a mix of free and paid parking, with visitor parking costing around €1.50 per hour. Alternatively, park at Campo della Fiera and use the elevators or escalators to reach the city center, a short walk from the well. Parking at Campo della Fiera costs €1.50 per hour.

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Discover more about Pozzo di San Patrizio

The Pozzo di San Patrizio, or St. Patrick's Well, is a historical landmark in Orvieto, Umbria, central Italy. This impressive well was constructed between 1527 and 1537 by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, commissioned by Pope Clement VII who sought refuge in Orvieto after the Sack of Rome. Clement VII feared that the city's natural water supply would be insufficient during a prolonged siege. Sangallo ingeniously designed the well with two independent spiral staircases that never meet, reminiscent of the spiral staircase in the Vatican's Villa Belvedere. Each staircase has 248 steps, allowing for a smooth flow of people and mules carrying water without any congestion. The well is 53 meters (174 feet) deep and 13 meters (43 feet) wide. 72 windows provide natural light to the stairways, creating a surreal atmosphere as you descend. At the bottom, a small bridge connects the two staircases. Initially named Pozzo della Rocca, its name was later changed to Pozzo di San Patrizio by monks who drew a parallel between the well and the legend of St. Patrick's Purgatory, a cave in Ireland believed to be an entrance to the afterlife. A Latin inscription on the well reads: "QUOD NATURA MUNIMENTO INVIDERAT INDUSTRIA ADIECIT" ('what nature has begrudged, industry has supplied'). Today, visitors can descend into the well and appreciate this feat of Renaissance engineering. The well is located near the Etruscan temple of Belvedere and the Albornoz Fortress, offering beautiful views of the Orvieto valley.

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