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Orvieto Cathedral — Complete Guide
Everything you need to visit Orvieto Cathedral: what to see, its history, the chapels, the facade, the underground, opening hours, tickets and practical advice for planning your visit.
The city's landmark monument
Why visit Orvieto Cathedral
The Duomo di Orvieto (Orvieto Cathedral) is one of the great masterpieces of Italian Gothic. Its golden facade, the frescoes by Luca Signorelli, its link with the Miracle of the Corporal and its dramatic position in the heart of Orvieto make it one of the most important visits in Umbria.
This complete guide gathers on a single page everything worth knowing: the history of the cathedral, the most important things to see, the practical information and the links to the dedicated in-depth pages.
In brief
Orvieto Cathedral at a glance
Foundation
Construction begins in 1290, in the presence of Pope Nicholas IV.
Style
One of the highest examples of Italian Gothic, with strong decorative and symbolic elements.
Not to be missed
The facade, the Cappella di San Brizio, the Cappella del Corporale and the Underground beneath the Cathedral.
Suggested time
For a proper visit, allow at least 1.5–2 hours.
What to see
The most important parts of Orvieto Cathedral
The facade
The most famous face of the Duomo: golden mosaics, bas-reliefs, the rose window and a monumental design associated with Lorenzo Maitani.
Discover the facade →Cappella di San Brizio
Luca Signorelli's cycle of the Last Days is one of the absolute high points of the Italian Renaissance.
Discover the Cappella di San Brizio →Miracle of the Corporal
The link between Bolsena, Urban IV and the birth of Corpus Christi is one of the strongest elements of Orvieto Cathedral's identity.
Discover the Miracle of the Corporal →The Cathedral Underground
A lesser-known but strikingly atmospheric route, useful for understanding the relationship between cathedral, rock and the city below.
Discover the underground →History
From the foundation stone to the masterpiece we see today
The history of Orvieto Cathedral spans more than two centuries of building work. From its foundation in 1290 to the completion of the facade between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries, the complex was born from the meeting of religious patronage, papal presence and the great masters of Italian art.
Understanding the history of the cathedral also means understanding the history of Orvieto, its strategic role and its bond with eucharistic devotion.
Plan your visit
Opening hours, tickets and useful advice
Opening hours and tickets
Admission and prices can change depending on the season, celebrations and official notices. Up-to-date information is on the official channels of the Opera del Duomo: Tickets · Bookings · Opening hours.
See opening hours & tickets →How to get there
Station, funicular, car parks, Piazza Cahen and practical directions for reaching the Duomo without wasting time.
Find out how to get there →Frequently asked questions
The most useful answers before you set off
If you want to find the answers on opening hours, admission, chapels, the visit, the underground, the tower and practical information all on one page, the complete collection is here.
Beyond the Cathedral
Discover the town of Orvieto too
Visiting the Duomo is the heart of the experience, but Orvieto also offers towers, monumental wells, panoramic walks, underground routes, artisan workshops and a strong culinary identity.
Start here
The parent page for exploring the whole site
This complete guide is the ideal starting point for visiting Orvieto Cathedral with more understanding, working out what is really worth seeing and exploring each part of the monumental complex through its dedicated pages.
Quick answers