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Pozzo San Patrizio

Saint Patrick's Cave - Pozzo San Patrizio

Pozzo San Patrizio is an historic structure which can be found in Orvieto in the region of Umbria, Italy.

It takes it's name from the 5th century Irish legend of St. Patrick and the cave (often referred to as a pit or well) in County Donegal which was shown to him by Christ. The cave subsequently became a pilgrimage site and is now known as St. Patrick's Purgatory.

Pozzo San Patrizio
Photo: Fantasy

The well was constructed in the mid 16th century by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger at the request of Pope Clement VII. The Pope had taken refuge in Orvieto after the seige of Rome in 1527 and he had concerns about the water supply to the city. He feared that if Orvieto were to come under attack the current water supply would be insufficient. The well was designed to provide sufficient water for everyone in case of seige or other disasters.

Antonio da Sangallo the Younger designed a masterpiece of engineering by surrounding the central shaft of the well with two spiral ramps in a double helix. It can be accessed by two doors which where mules transporting water could go down with full vessels one way and come up with empty ones the other, thus avoiding congestion and creating a smooth running operation.

Pozzo San Patrizio
Photo: Bob Tubbs

Pozzo San Patrizio is 54 metres deep and the cylindrical base has a diameter of 13 metres. It is lit by natural light from 70 large windows and has 248 steps.

There is a Latin inscription on the well 'QUOD NATURA MUNIMENTO INVIDERAT INDUSTRIA ADIECIT' which means'WHAT NATURE STINTED FOR PROVISION, APPLICATION HAS SUPPLIED.

Pozzo San Patrizio
Photo: Abxbay

It is possible to take the steps to the base of the well, if you dare, and feel the ever cooler air as you descend. From the floor of the well you can stare up the towering cylinder to the sky above you and admire the ancient architecture and structure of the well. The light provided by the windows creates some fascinating effects creating some unusual and spectacular opportunities for keen photographers.

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Pozzo San Patrizio

More Details

Flag of Umbria
Location of Umbria
Provinces of Umbria
  • Comunes of Umbria
    • Perugia
      • Assisi
        Bastia Umbra
        Bettona
        Bevagna
        Campello sul Clitunno
        Cannara
        Cascia
        Castel Ritaldi
        Castiglione del Lago
        Cerreto di Spoleto
        Citerna
        Città della Pieve
        Città di Castello
        Collazzone
        Corciano
        Costacciaro
        Deruta
        Foligno
        Fossato di Vico
        Fratta Todina
        Giano dell’Umbria
        Gualdo Cattaneo
        Gualdo Tadino
        Gubbio
        Lisciano Niccone
        Magione
        Marsciano
        Massa Martana
        Monte Castello di Vibio
        Monte Santa Maria Tiberina
        Montefalco
        Monteleone di Spoleto
        Montone
        Nocera Umbra
        Norcia
        Paciano
        Panicale
        Passignano sul Trasimeno
        Perugia
        Piegaro
        Pietralunga
        Poggiodomo
        Preci
        San Giustino
        Sant’Anatolia di Narco
        Scheggia e Pascelupo
        Scheggino
        Sellano
        Sigillo
        Spello
        Spoleto
        Todi
        Torgiano
        Trevi
        Tuoro sul Trasimeno
        Umbertide
        Valfabbrica
        Vallo di Nera
        Valtopina

    • Terni
      • Acquasparta
        Allerona
        Alviano
        Amelia
        Arrone
        Attigliano
        Avigliano Umbro
        Baschi
        Calvi dell’Umbria
        Castel Giorgio
        Castel Viscardo
        Fabro
        Ferentillo
        Ficulle
        Giove
        Guardea
        Lugnano in Teverina
        Montecastrilli
        Montecchio
        Montefranco
        Montegabbione
        Monteleone d’Orvieto
        Narni
        Orvieto
        Otricoli
        Parrano
        Penna in Teverina
        Polino
        Porano
        San Gemini
        San Venanzo
        Stroncone
        Terni

Hotels in Umbria
UmbriaWEATHER
Umbria Climate (Perugia)
  High Low Sun Rain
Jan 15 8 4 63
Feb 15 8 4 52
Mar 17 9 5 43
Apr 19 11 6 31
May 24 15 7 17
Jun 28 18 9 9
Jul 31 22 10 6
Aug 31 22 9 9
Sep 28 19 7 29
Oct 24 16 6 53
Nov 20 12 4 63
Dec 17 10 4 59
Table Key:
High - Average monthly high temperatures
Low - Average monthly low temperatures
Sun - Average hours of sunshine per day
Rain - Average monthly rainfall in mm
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