Orvieto is girded by city walls, fortresses, towers and gatehouses. You can walk the entire circumference below the walls on an easy, well made path in a little over an hour – there are stunning views across the Umbrian countryside towards the Appenines and the golden hills of Tuscany a mere 20km away. There is no country quite like Italy for its processions and street festivals. The townsfolk dress up in gorgeous mediaeval costume for Corpus Domini held every year sometime in June.

Gorgeously costumed knight

Cavalier and………….

Round head

Bolsena on the lake

The festival is part of the celebration of the Miracle of Bolsena. The story goes that a Bohemian monk returning from  pilgrimage to Rome in 1263 had a crisis of faith, he no longer believed in transubstantiation (something similar happened to Luther with quite different results). Stopping to conduct mass in Bolsena on the shores of Lake Bolsena the host bled over the napkin. The bishop was summoned to witness the miracle, followed by the Pope who ordained that Orvieto Cathedral be especially built, starting in 1290, to house the miraculous relic. This is paraded through the city every year  on the nearest Sunday to Corpus Christi  (Corpus Domini), accompanied by knights, dames and damsels ……..and children.

Fresco in Orvieto Cathedral illustrating the legendary events concerning the miracle of Bolsena. The pope, Urban IV then resident in Orvieto, is dressed in starry yellow robes. Kneeling, he meets the bishop who has come from Lake Bolsena (the blue in the background) on the Bridge below Orvieto where he sees the blood stained linen ‘corporale’ for the first time.

Corpus Domini, Orvieto

The Holy Relic of the Bolsena Miracle in procession

Corpus Domini is for all ages

The young dame

The old Dame

Orvieto’s gothic Cathedral from across the valley

Corpus Domini Festival in Orvieto is spread over 2 days. The Dames and Damsels on Saturday afternoon, the knights, notaries and grandees Sunday morning. A wonderful opportunity to photograph costumes, take portraits, revel in folk lore, observe religious devotion and be with people having a wonderful time!  A photography workshop in Italy could not  be based in a more appealing place than Ovieto, and in a better time than June to enjoy the light and the colours. Camera Etrusca Corpus Domini Photo Workshops are held every year but the date varies. In 2019 it will be the weekend of  22/23 June. The workshop starts Friday 20 June.

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A photography workshop in Italy could not  be based in a more appealing place than Ovieto, the most beautiful hill town in all Italy. It stands on its high rock plateau in Umbria, on the borders of both Tuscany and Latium.

Orvieto is an ancient city going back to pre-Roman Etruscan times, on the top of a volcanic rock surrounded by hills covered with vines and olives, and in the distance the snow topped high Apennines. It is noted for its wines, especially the Orvieto Classico.

Orvieto by Turner

Orvieto which is supremely picturesque, was sketched from many angles by William Turner who spent some time in the area.  The painting itself was done in Rome and is as one would expect somewhat romanticised. Patrick Nicholas has planted an umbrella pine near the spot of Turner’s pine – it should be mature in about 30 years.  His sketchbooks along with the painting are in the Tate, London. You can see them here

Less than an hour from Rome, it is a bustling place full of street cafés, restaurants for most tastes and pockets and smart shops frequented by equally smart, good looking Italians – there are a few scruffy tourists as well. The centre is largely pedestrianised and there is not a single traffic light in the entire city.

Orvieto's Gothic Cathedral

St Patrick's well Orvieto

The well is a perfect place to practise photography under low light conditions with a broad contrast ranging from the bright sunlight pouring down the shaft and the gloom of the stair well.

Orvieto is girded by city walls, fortresses, towers and gatehouses. You can walk the entire circumference below the walls on an easy, well made path in a little over an hour – there are stunning views across the Umbrian countryside towards the Appenines and the golden hills of Tuscany a mere 20km away. You will also come across Etruscan cemeteries including the unique Cimitero del Crocifisso with its streets of curious tombs built of Tufa stone to resemble the wooden houses of the Etruscans – an eerie place on a foggy morning in April or October.

St Patrick's Well

Orvieto is famous too for its festivals. In winter over New Year’s there is the world renowned Umbria Jazz festival; in August the Umbria Folk Festival and in June the colourful pageant of the Corpus Domini when the townsfolk parade  through the streets for two days in June dressed in Mediaeval costume.

For those who love markets there are two a week on Thursdays and Saturdays in Piazza del Popolo.

You couldn’t find a more attractive town to enjoy yourself in when taking time off from a photography course or to relax in after a day long photo excursion.

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