All Fountains & Wells in Orvieto

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    Pozzo della Cava

    Pozzo della Cava (Quarry Well) is an ancient well in Orvieto, located in Via della Cava, in the historical center of the town. Pozzo della Cava is one of the two ancient wells in Orvieto, the other being Pozzo di San Patrizio.   SHORT HISTORY The well was excavated, initially, by the Etruscans searching for water springs in Orvieto. Many centuries later, in 1527, Pope Clement VII took refuge in Orvieto after the Sack of Rome, and ordered the rehabilitation of the well, before comissioning the new Pozzo di San Patrizio. The work was funded by the Municipality and was completed in 1530. Pozzo della Cava remained open until 1646, when the town authorities ordered its closing, after five French officers who attempted to molest local women were thrown into the well. After more than 3 centuries, the well was uncovered by Tersilio Sciarra in December 1984. The restoration works lasted until 1996 and, in 2004, the ancient access from Via della Cava was restored.   ARCHITECTURE The well is 36 meters deep, including the height of the spring water at the bottom. Pozzo della Cava consists of two parts that have been unified – a larger one, circular, with Read more [...]

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    Pozzo di San Patrizio

    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 Read more [...]