Europe
Italy
Umbria
Province of Terni
Orvieto
Things to Do in Orvieto
Pozzo della Cava
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Pozzo della Cava

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See all things to do
Pozzo della Cava
4.5
626 reviews
#7 of 57 things to do in Orvieto
Caverns & Caves
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9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
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About
Pozzo della Cava is more than just a well... ...it's one of the highlights of a historical and archaeological tour of Orvieto...it's a place where the past and the present combine with respect for twenty-seven centuries of tradition...it's an invitation to discover Etruscans, Middle Ages and Renaissance, because Orvieto is not only the Cathedral...it's a fascinating underground itinerary located in the heart of Orvieto, through caves full of recently discovered archaeological finds...it's an unusual way of discovering the history the city known as Urbs Vetus and the customs of its people...it's an original opportunity to retake possession of a disinterred heritage
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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The area
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69 within 6 miles
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137
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81
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
626 reviews
Excellent
382
Very good
194
Average
42
Poor
5
Terrible
3
Gib_jac
Termoli, Italy133 contributions
Amazing place
Feb 2022
Little out of the way in a back alley but worth going to see. Very interesting and to think this is all underneath the city, If you take your ticket you can get discounts on another attraction. Family owned but so very professional and fasinating.
Written February 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sciarra_Orvieto
Grazie infinite per la sua bella recensione e per la valutazione. Siamo felici di aver arricchito positivamente la sua esperienza ad Orvieto.
Written March 8, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rod F
11 contributions
Decent add-on to the Orvieto Underground
Feb 2023
Tickets for the Orvieto Underground entitle you to a cheaper entrance for the Pozzo della Cava. We came across it by accident so decided to go in. It's small, probably 15 minutes altogether to see it but there are severeal interesting things to see. I'm not sure I would have wanted to pay the full price, though.
Written February 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sciarra_Orvieto
Molte grazie per la sua valutazione. Speriamo che abbia visto tutte le nostre grotte!
Written March 20, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
lynette_cypress
Boise, ID414 contributions
Very impressive and well-done self-guided tour
Jun 2015 • Solo
Such an amazing story from Tersillio, the owner, who discovered these caves and tunnels on his property. He keep digging and opened the country's first privately owned National Museum. I highly recommend this as a MUST on your Orvieto to-do list. It is incredible!
Purchase a Carta Unica at the tourist office on the Piazza del Duomo - it provides entry into this and several other must-see sights. You can have lunch in his little trattoria after your tour or have a coffee or other beverage. And he's such a gem you'll want to stay and visit.not sure how much English he speaks, but he'd get by I'm sure.
Written June 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mpm1
New York City, NY102 contributions
Fascinating
Apr 2015 • Couples
My husband and I sort of fell upon this attraction as it was on the way from our hotel. It turned out to be a fascinating and very well done exhibit of, mostly, Etruscan life. There was a fair amount of Renaissance pottery-making involved as well, as evidenced by the gift shop. There are steps (quite sturdy and with railings) as you go down quite a bit but it is not at all claustrophobic, there are big rooms. It is quite impressive that this was all done at private expense. We did not go on Orvieto Underground so can't really compare, but this was not expensive and was really interesting and fun. Afterwards one of the proprietors (we assumed) motioned us into the restaurant (not much English). We were a little apprehensive--was he trying to get us to have an early dinner? No, he wanted to have me stand on a glass panel in the floor and look down through it to the ruins! Unfortunately we did not get to eat dinner there--but we would have!
Written May 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sciarra_Orvieto
Thank you so much! Unfortunately for you the small restaurant at the exit of the caves is open just for lunch. We looking forward to welcoming you at the occasion of your next trip in Italy.
Written May 15, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
pyegirl
Rome, Italy1,388 contributions
Far more interesting, attractive than the Orvieto Underground
Apr 2019 • Couples
Oooof! The line was so long to get tickets to the Orvieto Underground and to secure a place in the obligatory tour. But after doing both of these sites, I would definitely opt for the Pozzo della Cava instead. Yes, we learned different things in the underground tour and it was good, but I didn't love clamoring for a place in the tour...and it was only April (not summer).

I will say that if you are staying two days in Orvieto, the Carta Unica is worth it. Buy it at the train station and it will pay for the funicular ride, bus rides and all sites worth seeing. And, no need to stand in line (except at the Pozzo di San Patrizio, where you have to show your CU to get the ticket that allows you in the PdSP).
Review of: Pozzo della Cava Admission Ticket
Written April 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sciarra_Orvieto
Grazie per la sua recensione e per la valutazione. Siamo felici che abbia trovato molto positiva l'esperienza da noi, ma ricordiamo a chi ci legge che tutta Orvieto va visitata, sia i monumenti più famosi e affollati, sia quelli più decentrati che sanno far entrare con garbo nel vissuto della città e del territorio.
Written May 4, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Olle W
Stockholm, Sweden144 contributions
Best Etruscan underground in Orvieto
Sep 2015 • Couples
This is a private cave (but entry is included in the Orvieto combo ticket). It is much more interesting and intriguing than the so called "Orvieto underground tour". You will see 2,500 years of history -well explained in English- in 30 minutes. Best visited in very small groups. There is also a very good shop (without the usual crap, but with nice majolica).
Written September 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sciarra_Orvieto
Thank you very much for your review, we are pleased also that you have noticed that we put a lot of care also in the shop.
Written September 18, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Fish Out of Malbec
Austin, TX90 contributions
Very cool, family-run historical experience
Oct 2014 • Couples
One of the most interesting parts of this attraction is its long history - and how great a job the family of owners has done preserving, reconstructing and presenting its story without being cheesy or over-the-top.

The caves themselves are really interesting, and it was fascinating learning what different areas were used as throughout time - from a chimney from the pottery kiln to a trash chute in medieval times.

I loved the kind older man who ran the gift shop! He was such a kind soul and his mischievous grin as he took us over to the clear floor was adorable.

There are a few staircases involved in navigating the caves, so you should speak with someone on site when you arrive if you are concerned with the physical aspects of the visit. I do remember there being signs directing those with less mobility to go one way instead of the other, but it's something to be mindful of.
Written January 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
James J
Casperia, Italy378 contributions
Mind bogglingly awesome... A walk back in time
Apr 2014 • Friends
There are two major "well" attractions in Orvieto. The larger, better known Pozzo San Patrizio, and the Pozzo della Cava. Three Euros gets you a ticket that takes you back 2500 years to a time to when Orvieto was a fortified Etruscan hill town that needed to dig deep into the tufa and pozzolana rock to reach groundwater. This fascinating complex which combines the original Etruscan well which was later expanded in the 1500s by one of the popes, as well as repurposed Etruscan tombs, Etruscan cisterns, medieval potteries, wine cellars, refuse pits, and a quarry is beautifully laid out and equipped with impeccably written explanations in Italian, French, German, Spanish and English. I had originally been intending to wait for a time when my friends would go through with me but went in by myself. I was so impressed I took my friends the next day. The man who runs the ticket counter (I am not sure if he is the manager or owner) would not let me pay the second time... nor the next day when I brought a second batch of friends through... People interested in ceramics will love the gift shop that sells authentic reproductions of medieval and renaissance ceramic remains found on the site.
Written April 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
luvroma2
Reading, PA2,028 contributions
Privately owned cave
Nov 2013 • Couples
Although this cave is privately owned and located under someone's personal property, it was included in our Orvieto Carta Unica ticket.

The cave is simply fascinating and there is very good signage providing the history of the cave and its prior functions. We had the entire cave to ourselves when we were there and it was eerie.
Written December 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rasputin21
Ashburton, Australia2,195 contributions
Visit if you are interested in Etruscan history
Oct 2011 • Couples
Pozzo della Cava is one of the many underground excavations in Orvieto. It is out of the way of most of the other attractions and so would often get overlooked. It is part of the Combined ticket that Orvieto offers for many of its attractions. We visited early in the morning on a Saturday and there were only two other people who were also viewing. The viewing of the excavations is via a self guided tour. The artefcts and caves are well lit and have diagrams showing the usage as well as descriptions in four languages. It is amazing how these wells and caves were dug by people who did not have the hydraulic equipment we have today. Many of these caves have been enlarged and developed away from their original purpose by succeeding civilizations so archeologists sometimes have difficulty in deciding what the purpose originally was. The tour ends in a restaurant where you can partake of local snacks and use the clean toilets. There are also terracotta souviners available for sale. The owner of the enoteca/restaurant has pleasure in inviting you into his restaurant where you can view one of the caves that depicts alteration into a wine cellar through a glass floor.
Written October 8, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Pozzo della Cava (Orvieto) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Pozzo della Cava
Pozzo della Cava is open:
  • Tue - Sun 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Pozzo della Cava tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 5 Pozzo della Cava tours on Tripadvisor