Italy - Orvieto

"Orvieto rises on a natural tableland at the summit of a 150-metre-high tufa cliff emerging, much like an island, from the surrounding plains. The city's distinctive feature comes from the particular relationship between this sheer cliff and the fabric of the city dominated by its imposing cathedral. Oriveto is of Etruscan origin with the more ancient traces dating back to 9th century BC; the necropolis and other findings indicate however, that the Etruscan settlement reached its peak development only between the 6th and 4th century BC and then declined in Roman times. During the early Middle Ages, the cliff's strategic importance as a natural fortress was once more appreciated; a new settlement developed around the year 1000 and became a free Commune in 1137. At the centre of a vast territory, Orvieto's social, political and economical importance progressed rapidly, inducing important building activities - stately homes, towers and churches - and favouring the development of arts and crafts with the manufacture of refined handicrafts. The city reached its maximum expansion between the 13th and 14th century and its very particular urban structure has since remained basically unchanged. Orography obviously conditioned the urban structure so that the city's perimeter coincides with the borders of the tableland. The city centre is laid out on an East-West axis and its development shows an interesting functional polycentrism, featuring two new axes, at right angles to the main one, leading to two new squares designed at the same time as the respective monuments (Piazza del Duomo and Piazza del Popolo) in addition to Palazzo Comunale's square in the ancient centre..." Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Multi-view of Orvieto, located near Rome. Thanks to Martha of Italy.