Orvieto — Pozzo di San Patrizio

A very unique site on the eastern cliff of the city, Pozzo di San Patrizio (Saint Patrick’s Well) was commissioned by Pope Clement VII when he took refuge in Orvieto during the Sack of Rome. He was concerned that the city wouldn’t have enough water to survive a siege so he ordered a well to be built. It’s named after a well in Ireland which was said to be the gate to Purgatory. The architect built a double helix staircase to create the well so that mules could descend into the well to pick up water and the ascend through the other staircase without having to pass one another. It’s 175 feet deep with 250 steps down and 250 back up.Read more