The Orvieto Underground city has a history that dates back to the Etruscan period. These 440 caves that at present can be visited on a tour served the Etruscans as wells. In the medieval times when the town was laid siege to the caves were the inhabitants´shelter. During the sieges they hunted pigeons to eat, and palomba o piccione is still a local delicacy. The caves became refuges during the WWII, but fortunately were not needed.
Pozzo di San Patrizio is a well over 60m deep. It has two sets of stairs for mules used to carry water and a an inscription in Latin reading: “What nature denied for defence, in this case water, was added by work of man”. Today visitors can purchase a combined ticket for Museo di Emilio Greco and the Pozzo di San Patrizio
Crocifisso del Tufo Etruscan Necropolis, is located outside Perugia. There are only two Etruscan necropolises which are open to the public in Umbria, this is one of them. Each body’s chamber bears an engraved name. The tombs´ layout reflects the excellent ancient organization of the urban plan. The artefacts found in this necropolis are displayed in the Museo Claudio Faina e Civico, the Louvre, British Museum and other prestigious sites.
In the Teatro Mancinelli every year in December and January the Umbria Jazz Festival is held; however throughout the year ballet performances and concerts can also be enjoyed in this frescoed building dating back to the 19th century.
Orvieto has many shops where tourists can purchase local wines, sausages, olive oil, cheese and mushrooms as well as ceramics and lace. Via Garibaldi is a pedestrianized street lined with clothes and ceramics shops.