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About
Pozzo di San Patrizio (Saint Patrick’s Well) is an ancient well in Orvieto, located in Piazza Cahen, in the eastern part of the historical center of the town.
SHORT HISTORY
In 1527, Pope Clement VII, returned to Orvieto after the Sack of Rome and, eager to protect himself in case of a siege, comissioned the structure of the well to Antonio da Sangallo the Younger.
The well, originally named Pozzo della Rocca (Fortress Well), as it was close to Fortezza Albornoz, was designed to provide water in the event of a disaster or siege.
Pozzo di San Patrizio was built between 1527 and 1537. The works were concluded during the papacy of Paul III Farnese.
During the absences of Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, the works were supervised by Giovanni Battista of Cortona. The decorative parts of the well are the works of Simone Mosca.
Pozzo di San Patrizio took the name of Saint Patrick, probably because it was used as a Purgatory of Saint Patrick, similar to the cave in Ireland where the unbelievers who descended to its bottom would gain access to heaven.
ARCHITECTURE
Pozzo di San Patrizio was built by digging in the tuff of the plateau on which Orvieto stands, being an amazing masterpiece of hydraulic engineering.
The well has a cylindrical structure, 54 meters deep, with a diameter of 13 meters. The access to the well is made by two helicoidal staircases with 248 steps, completely autonomous and served by two different doors. The well has 72 windows.
At the bottom of the well, the water level remains constant thanks to a natural spring that supplies it and to a conduit that drains the excess water.
The external part of the well consists of a cylindrical structure, decorated with the lilies of the Farnese family, and has two diametrically opposite entrances.
HOW TO GET THERE
Pozzo di San Patrizio is located about 2.5 kilometers on foot from the Orvieto railway station. However, the best way to reach the well from the railway station is by funicular, which runs every day from 7.15 am to 8.30 pm. A trip by funicular to Piazza Cahen, located about 150 meters away from the well, takes about 5 minutes, and a ticket costs 1.30€.
The closest bus stop is located in Piazza Cahen, in front of the funicular station, on the bus Lines 1, A, CC, E023, E643, E644, E645, E646, E648, E649, E650, E651, E652 and E653.
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