Pozzo Etrusco
Pozzo Etrusco
4
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
About
An exceptional work of hydraulic engineering, it dates back to the second half of the 3rd century B.C., testifying to the advanced degree of civilization reached by the Etruscans at the time. The size of the well, unusual compared to the water reservoirs normally built in Etruscan times, has led experts to believe that it was originally conceived as a cistern and later transformed into a well to reach a deep vein of water. The well is covered by a series of travertine slabs, supported by a system of massive stone beams (“trusses”), each weighing about 8000 kg and fitted in place without the use of mortar. The well can be entered by means of a medieval passageway, reaching a depth of 12 meters, and a modern walkway crosses the well. The well is still fed today by at least 3 veins of water.
Duration: < 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
427 within 3 miles
Attractions
192 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
566 reviews
Excellent
159
Very good
208
Average
137
Poor
45
Terrible
17
4historyandculture
Charlotte, NC1,550 contributions
Jul 2021
The Etruscans were amazingly skilled. We were here with our tour guide around 9:00am and unfortunately could not go in the museum to visit. It opens at 10:00am Just admired the well outside and took a picture through the grids of the entrance gate.
I would live to visit again in the future.
I would live to visit again in the future.
Written August 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Albert Z
Petersfield, UK260 contributions
Aug 2022
A well on top of a hill that's still full of water. Watch the short video about how the well was built first 300BC by the Etruscans and then you can walk down a few steps to explore. Well worth the short visit
Written September 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,254 contributions
Jun 2023
This is a strange attraction and whilst I don’t think it's worth the €4 entry ticket, it was interesting, although kind of creepy too.
I visited this on my own because no-one else was that keen to go or else they baulked at the price. They waited outside but honestly, I was in and out in under 15 minutes so they didn’t have to wait long.
The entry point is through a doorway opposite the Duomo and down a long tunnel-like path.
The visit starts with a short video which is in Italian but has sub-titles. It explains in very simple terms about the construction of the well.
Built in the 3rd century BC, the well was originally a cistern, used to collect rainwater. Later it was also used to store water from underground springs.
The engineering is pretty incredible. The well is almost 40 metres deep and has a stone-slab roof supported by two heavy stone beams or trusses, each weighing 8000 kg. Despite the weight and size of these stone blocks, no cement or mortar was used.
After the video, I walked down a series of steep, narrow stairs. There was no-one else there and in the dim, gloomy lighting, it all felt mysterious and a little unnerving. The damp, dank, dripping stone walls felt like they could close in on you. If you have any tendency towards claustrophobia, this is not for you.
The really creepy part though is the bridge. The stairs lead to the well-head where a modern glass and metal viewing bridge is suspended over the well. It is a little confronting to walk out to the middle.
If you have adventurous kids, its the sort of thing they might love but many kids would find it plain scary.
If none of this appeals, you can skip it and just walk around to Piazza Piccinino where you can see the part of the well that sits at street level. This is free although there’s not a lot to see other than a conventional looking stone well sitting outside Palazzo Sorbello. An iron grate cover that bears the coats of arms of the Sorbello and Eugeni families.
I visited this on my own because no-one else was that keen to go or else they baulked at the price. They waited outside but honestly, I was in and out in under 15 minutes so they didn’t have to wait long.
The entry point is through a doorway opposite the Duomo and down a long tunnel-like path.
The visit starts with a short video which is in Italian but has sub-titles. It explains in very simple terms about the construction of the well.
Built in the 3rd century BC, the well was originally a cistern, used to collect rainwater. Later it was also used to store water from underground springs.
The engineering is pretty incredible. The well is almost 40 metres deep and has a stone-slab roof supported by two heavy stone beams or trusses, each weighing 8000 kg. Despite the weight and size of these stone blocks, no cement or mortar was used.
After the video, I walked down a series of steep, narrow stairs. There was no-one else there and in the dim, gloomy lighting, it all felt mysterious and a little unnerving. The damp, dank, dripping stone walls felt like they could close in on you. If you have any tendency towards claustrophobia, this is not for you.
The really creepy part though is the bridge. The stairs lead to the well-head where a modern glass and metal viewing bridge is suspended over the well. It is a little confronting to walk out to the middle.
If you have adventurous kids, its the sort of thing they might love but many kids would find it plain scary.
If none of this appeals, you can skip it and just walk around to Piazza Piccinino where you can see the part of the well that sits at street level. This is free although there’s not a lot to see other than a conventional looking stone well sitting outside Palazzo Sorbello. An iron grate cover that bears the coats of arms of the Sorbello and Eugeni families.
Written July 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IBlair
Montreal, Quebec45 contributions
I would recommend a little sidetrip below the sidewalks to anyone visiting Perugia. The Etruscan well is dark, damp and atmospheric, but also an incredible example of the stonemason's art. Great cultures and empires fade away, but a well-designed piece of hydraulic engineering lasts forever...
Written April 10, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RetiredBritz
United Kingdom287 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
A lot of the guide books don't mention this fascinating Etruscan well, which dates back to the second half of the 3rd century BC. It is an amazing feat of engineering for the time, and leaves you wondering how they managed to put in place the four 8,000kg Travertine beams at the head of the well.
A medieval path takes you down deep underneath the well, to where you can walk on a modern glass-floored walkway across the lower part of the well shaft. The well is over 37 meters deep.
You'd never guess, looking at the well above ground in the square, what lies beneath. It's just €3 to visit and well worth seeking out this most interesting piece of history.
A medieval path takes you down deep underneath the well, to where you can walk on a modern glass-floored walkway across the lower part of the well shaft. The well is over 37 meters deep.
You'd never guess, looking at the well above ground in the square, what lies beneath. It's just €3 to visit and well worth seeking out this most interesting piece of history.
Written June 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lovetotravel C
Passignano Sul Trasimeno, Italy8 contributions
Apr 2012
This is a hidden gem and a little difficult to find. You need to go through the entrance to an Irsh Pub to get to the tickets office and well. he 3EUR ticket allows you access to three different sites. In the Chapel of San Francesco,, only a 5 min walk from the well, holds one of the best art pieces in all of Italy. A fresco painted partly by Raphel and partly by his teacher Perugino. Just you and the fresco very special
Written May 16, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fergalini
Spoleto, Italy131 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
This well is amazing and well worth visiting. The skill and engineering know how to build is incredible. It would be hard to build now let alone 2300 years ago
Written November 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zaira G
Italy182 contributions
Aug 2019
This well is probably a unique masterpiece of engineering considering that it dates back to around 300BC and the structure still stands two thousand years on!! You can visit the well below the ground and it is a must if you're into history and culture. The Etruscans were well known artisans and craftsman and it is thanks to them that today we have so many masterpieces including bronze sculptures.
When you visit the well you might want to wear a sweater as it is rather humid inside.
Pets are welcome to visit too|
Tickets are only €3,00.
When you visit the well you might want to wear a sweater as it is rather humid inside.
Pets are welcome to visit too|
Tickets are only €3,00.
Written August 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jbtolz
Boston, MA163 contributions
Jun 2019
Pozzo Etrusco is unlike any other attraction I’ve visited - the engineering is truly incredible to learn about. Don’t expect a lot of bells and whistles from the museum, it is simple but includes an informational video with a walkway and stairs down to the well. Still, it was worth it.
Written July 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CatBL
Harbor Springs, MI46 contributions
Nov 2011
I was enamoured by this! So hard for Americans to fathom! This is a must on your visit to Perugia. We hired an English speaking taxi driver to give us a tour. He was well informed and spoke well. Thank you, Perugia for a wonderful experience.
Written December 29, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing