A Sense of Peace

As the baby birds chirp and firey-red sun rises over the breathtaking Duomo, the town of Orvieto slowly starts to wake up to get ready for another day of pasta making and wine drinking. The Corso begins to fill with people of all kinds; little old ladies struggling with their walkers on the cobblestone, business owners smoking a cigarette on the way to open their store, tourists trying to find their way to an espresso. Friends are greeting each other in the middle of the street and the smell of fresh croissants fills the air while the bell tower rings to let everyone know that the day is beginning.

Orvieto is a small city in Umbria region of Italy, divided in two by a rock cliff that was constructed in the eighth or ninth century B.C. by the Etruscans. The underground caves, also built by the Etruscans, are a dark and cool escape from the Mediterranean heat. The history of Orvieto goes very far back, and the people of the city are very passionate about it. They partake in simple traditions like the Staffetta dei Quartieri, a neighborhood relay race involving children from the city that ends in front of the Duomo near the edge of the cliff, along with historic ceremonies such as the Processione del Corpus, a procession made up of locals that goes around the entirety of the upper-part of Orvieto with all sorts of music, costumes and religious artifacts. Clearly, they take a lot of pride in their history and culture.

The people of Orvieto also like to lead live a stress-free life, which contributes to the overall culture and vibe of the town. Walking down the main street of the town, often referred to as “The Corso”, there are cafes filled with people drinking espressos, joyful dogs being walked around by their owners and the sound of the bell tower periodically. “The people aren’t worried about much and they are never in a rush,” said Adamari Juarez, a University of Arizona student who studied abroad in Oriveto for 5 weeks during the summer semester. “They close their businesses when they feel like it and decide when or if they even want to go back. With that being said, Google is not a trusted ally when it comes to looking up the business hours of a restaurant or shop in Italy.”

Local resident and favored bartender, Ludovico Argese, says that “although it is cheesy, Orvieto is a hidden gem.” Better known as Ludo, the bald-headed, thick-bearded man has lived in Orvieto all his life and seems to have no complaints about his quaint Italian hometown. He is known for his kind heart, warm smile, and his expertise in mixology skills. He talks a lot about how he has “a dream to be a really good bartender. I want to go to Miami to learn how to be the best.” Drinking alcohol, especially wine, is a big part of Italian culture. Around every corner is a cafe serving its customers their next Aperol Spritz with a panini of some sort or an espresso martini and a pastry.

Another standout aspect of Orvieto is the goodwill of its people. They are always willing to lend a helping hand and are genuinely kind-hearted. “Every person I met and talked to during my time there treated me with kindness and respect,” said Kiki Frye, a University of Arizona student who also lived in Orvieto for 5 weeks with the UA study abroad program. “Even the ones that didn’t speak my language still tried to communicate with me and help out when I needed directions or something. We don’t see any of that in America, they’re all just rude,” Kiki said when asked about the language barrier while talking to locals. The kindness of the people makes the experience of visiting feel more personal and makes travelers want to go back.

Despite the hassle of the travel process to Orvieto, which includes a trip to the ever-so-confusing Rome train station and a long, windy ride up the side of the rock cliff, there is no reason not to visit this beautiful city. If not for the traditions and general way of life, at least for some of the best food this world has to offer. There’s delicious pasta sauces and new gelato flavors and different wine/cheese combinations waiting to be tried.