Add dates

Well of St. Patrick

Well of St. Patrick: Our most recommended tours and activities

Orvieto: Pozzo della Cava Entry Ticket

1. Orvieto: Pozzo della Cava Entry Ticket

Visiting this centuries-old well in Orvieto will open up the history of the ancient inhabitants' ways of life, from their Etruscan beginnings, through the Middle Ages, to the Renaissance and beyond. The underground cave complex consists of nine caverns for you to explore. You’ll find countless Etruscan, medieval, and Renaissance artifacts preserved by the underground complex running beneath the medieval streets of the Cava neighborhood.  Start at the oldest part of the Pozzo della Cava, with its cistern lined with cocciopesto plaster, where you’ll discover artifacts such as ancient Etruscan burial remains. Next, descend into the hypogeum maze of Urbs Vetus (Orvieto’s medieval name) to discover the intricacies of the houses’ three-story basements.  The final part of the complex displays developments from the Renaissance, when the most recent parts of the Pozzo della Cava were excavated. Marvel at the impressive final cave, which preserves traces of the transformations carried out over a period of twenty-eight centuries.

From Rome: Orvieto & Civita Bagnoregio Coach Tour

2. From Rome: Orvieto & Civita Bagnoregio Coach Tour

First, get picked up from your hotel in central Rome or head to the meeting point in the city center. Board the coach and depart at 8 AM, setting off towards the ancient city of Bagnoregio in the Province of Viterbo in central Italy.  When you arrive, take a stroll around Civita di Bagnoregio which was founded by Etruscans more than 2,500 years ago. The town is noted for its striking position on top of a plateau between the two valleys called Fossato del Rio Torbido and Fossato del Rio Chiaro. Find out about how the settlement is also known as the 'dying town' and was historically accessed by a single road that led from the Tiber valley to Lake Bolsena.  Then, stop for a delicious lunch at a local Italian restaurant. In the afternoon, continue the tour to Orvieto, another small town of Etruscan origins where you can admire the magnificent 14th-century cathedral, a masterpiece of gothic architecture. Visit the remarkable Pozzo di San Patrizio, a historic well that was built by architect-engineer Antonio da Sangallo the Younger of Florence in the 16th Century.  Finally, return to Rome where you will be dropped off at the meeting point in the city center.

Orvieto: City Card with Nine Local Landmarks

3. Orvieto: City Card with Nine Local Landmarks

Immerse yourself in Italy's historic city of Orvieto with a single-pass ticket to all of its best museums and attractions. Explore ceramics and bronze items excavated from the area, on view at the National Archaeological Museum. Glimpse the city's spiritual history at Orvieto Cathedral. See the vast complex that winds under the ancient quarter of Orvieto at the Well of the Quarry, and explore the foreboding Crocifisso del Tufo, an Etruscan necropolis that owes its name to a crucifix engraved in the tuff inside a rock chapel. By purchasing the Single Card, you're also entitled to discounts at other attractions.

Orvieto: Guided Walking Tour of Underground Orvieto

4. Orvieto: Guided Walking Tour of Underground Orvieto

Orvieto stands out on a tuff hill, showing off its jewels, first of all the wonderful Duomo. Under it, however, inside, another city is hidden and preserved, dug over the centuries through the volcanic rock. Walking through the streets of the city, we will discover two unique architectural jewels. The first is the Pozzo della Cava: this is a complex from the Etruscan era with various hypogeal environments and a well dug into the tuff rock on which the city rests. This has a depth of 36 meters and has unique features that we will discover in detail. The second stop of the visit that we will reach with a short walk is the famous Well of St. Patrick: this water structure dates back to the sixteenth century and had the dual function of water supply in case of disaster but also a refuge in case of attack. Designed by Antono da Sangallo il Giovane, it has the peculiarity of having a double staircase whose access is guaranteed by separate doors that allow for totally separate access flows. 54 meters deep, this engineering jewel will be the highlight of this exciting guided tour.

Civitavecchia: Orvieto Underground and St. Patrick's Well

5. Civitavecchia: Orvieto Underground and St. Patrick's Well

The tour depart from Civitavecchia port, it is shared where your English-speaking driver will drive north-east direction. After about 45 min's drive, you will stop at the picturesque town of Civita di Bagnoregio also called "the dying city". Connected to the rest of the world by a three hundred meter bridge, Civita di Bagnoregio is a charming village which will make you feel you are visiting a world that no longer exists. Made up of old houses, narrow streets and surrounded by beautiful landscapes, walk through this magnificently unique setting. The Romanesque Arch at the entrance to Civita was built by the Etruscans 2,500 years ago and all that remains of the Renaissance Palace is the facade, the rest collapsed into the canyon. Visit the largest Piazza: the site of donkey races on the first Sunday of June and the second Sunday of September. In the evening, the piazza is the place to be, as what’s left of the town socializes there. Visit Maria’s Garden, follow the main road to the far side of town to see a lovely garden with canyon views. After the experience to Civita di Bagnoregio you will drive for another 20 minutes through the Umbrian countryside until arrive to Orvieto. It sits on a volcanic plateau. Its rich history began with the Etruscans and includes periods of Roman rule, barbarian invaders, and medieval battles with the papacy for its independence it has also been used as a papal refuge during the famous sack of Rome! In addition to being known for its high-quality food and wine, the town boasts an incredible Gothic cathedral with frescoes “Last Judgement” to rival Michelangelo’s in the Sistine Chapel, a labyrinth of cient underground tunnels, and a fine art gallery. Only on the private option you will visit Orvieto underground and St. Patrick's Well, built by Pope Clement the seventh during the sack of Rome in 1527 to guarantee a supply of water to its citizens in case of calamity or to survive prolonged sieges. Only during the nineteenth century took the current name "Pozzo di San Patrizio" to symbolize the spiritual path of the human soul. The legend told that a Irish priest was the guardian of the cave- the well precisely - from which the faithful could be convinced of the atrocity of the pains of hell. It was designed by "Antonio da Sangallo il giovane". The well, circular section, is 62 meters deep and 13 meters wide. Around the barrel spiral turn two spiral staircases in such a way as to run overlapping each other without ever crossing. In this way the helical system of steps allowed animals to carry water drawn from the bottom of the cavity and not to hinder the path of those who went up to the surface. 248 are the steps for each climb

From Rome: Private Tour to Orvieto and Caprarola with Lunch

6. From Rome: Private Tour to Orvieto and Caprarola with Lunch

The day's program spreads out in this way: at 8:00 a.m. the driver will meet you at the place you have indicated to meet and welcome you before departing in comfort to Caprarola. The road to this location is extra-urban and you will get to see the Latium countryside and its landscapes. Upon reaching Caprarola you will find yourself in the presence of the imposing Villa Farnese. This sumptuous mansion, built by the noble family that gives it its name, is one of the finest examples of Mannerist architecture and has a peculiar pentagonal shape positioned above the town's built-up area. The interior is a veritable treasure trove with impressive artistic works that will leave you totally speechless, opening up a world of colors, images and glimpses that you do not expect. The guide's passion for this important monument will frame an interesting visit that will stimulate your curiosity. At the end of the visit, we will drive up for the second stop of the day, that is, to Civita di Bagnoregio or otherwise known as "the dying town." This hamlet in the municipality of Bagnoregio is located on high ground in the middle of a valley of gullies, which gives it a special evocative quality. It can be reached by a footbridge that connects the town to the parking lot. It is nicknamed the "dying town" as the weathering erosion is causing the decay of the village and the hills where it sits on. With your guide you will have the opportunity to take a walk through the alleys of Civita before settling down at the restaurant for lunch. With our energy restored and our stomachs full, we set off again on the last leg of this journey through upper Lazio and southern Umbria, reaching Orvieto. This fascinating city contains an incredibly rich underground of tunnels, caves, wells and Etruscan remains and a series of artistic works, the most important and famous of which is the Duomo. Of this rich heritage, together with your guide you will walk through the city streets to capture the atmosphere and colors and then visit two important pieces of this heritage, both underground: The Well of the Quarry and St. Patrick's Well (the latter we are sure will leave you speechless). At the end of the visits you will have some free time to continue freely visiting Orvieto before getting back into your car and returning to Rome

Other Sightseeing Options in Well of St. Patrick

Want to discover all there is to do in Well of St. Patrick? Click here for a full list.