Orvieto & Civita di Bagnoregio Day Trip

The enchanting town of Civita di Bagnoregio sits atop a vast hill, offering unparalleled vistas from the vantage points of Bagnoregio. Famously dubbed the “dying city” by writer Bonaventura Tecchi, it teeters on unstable tuffaceous terrain, threatened by the constant erosion of the vast clay banks beneath. Civita di Bagnoregio feels like a timeless village, accessible only on foot via a concrete bridge made for its few inhabitants and global visitors. Positioned on volcanic soil, it appears as a red tuffa stone island amidst a sea of white clay badlands, presenting a truly lunar landscape. The East Cliff offers views of the “Jumpers”—gigantic natural clay walls and remnants of an ancient erosion process.

Post your visit to Civita di Bagnoregio, you’ll head to Orvieto. Known for its magnificent “Duomo”—a pinnacle of Italian gothic architecture—it showcases a medley of arts: from mosaic patterns to bas-reliefs and frescoes by Signorelli and Beato Angelico. Orvieto, an ancient Etruscan capital, beautifully blends its medieval history. Its streets are adorned with ancient churches and the warm hue of tuff stones. As a former Papal city, it houses the fortress and the famous St. Patrick’s Well. The latter is an Italian phrase pointing to a vast, mysterious reserve. Some believe the term “is like St. Patrick’s Well” denotes a futile endeavor, as it never seems full.