"Maybe the most fascinating duomo in Italy?" Top 5 Page for this destination Orvieto Things to Do Tip by Trekki

Orvieto’s duomo is surely one of the most fascinating churches in Italy. And I was astonished to learn that it was not only built as a shrine for a miracle nearby but that we also owe the holiday of Corpus Christi to it (and the miracle). Legend says that a Bohemian (as in the region) monk was in doubt about his belief and decided to do a pilgrimage to Rome. On his way he also made a stop in nearby Bolsena and celebrated a mass. Suddenly blood dropped from the altar bread and formed a cross on the chalice cloth. The young monk went immediately to Orvieto where Pope Urban was residing and the Pope took the chance to legitimate this miracle: Orvieto’s duomo was planned and we all got the holiday of Corpus Christi. The erection of the church took ages however and the original plans were modified quite often. But overall it is a very harmonious sight to see, although the combination of the overly decorated western façade and the black & white stripes of the other walls (travertine and bluegrey basalt) is a bit unusual.
Mare sure to walk around the duomo, mainly the northern walls and look up at the carvings at the apses and the many gargoyles: lions which glance in funny angles down on us and which look as if they have been fixed with glue.
The duomo is open daily from 7:30 to 12:45 and 14:30 to 17:15 (November to February), 18:15 (March and October) and 19:15 (April to September). No entrance fee, but if you want to visit the chapel with Signorelli’s frescoes it is 5 € (to be paid at the entrance to the chapel).

Directions: You cannot miss it. It is located in the middle of the town, almost close to its southern walls.
Website: http://www.opsm.it/duomo/021.html