Orte Underground Tour
Tour Details
We'll meet at the indicated time at number 45 of Via Matteotti and, from there, we'll head to the Orte Underground. What secrets lie below the surface of this beautiful town in Lazio? We'll find out!
We'll begin this tour of the underground galleries of Orte by admiring the Ipogea Fountain, which is located just below the central Piazza della Libertà. This place was conceived as a cistern in the time of the Roman Emperor Augustus, although it was later monumentalized during the Renaissance period.
Next, we'll continue our route visiting the galleries of an Etruscan-Roman aqueduct. The main tunnel of this conduit, built around the 6th-5th centuries BC, had the purpose of transporting the rainwater to the heart of the city, using the natural slope of the tuff cliff. It's an ancestral engineering masterpiece!
During the tour, we'll also see a complex of cisterns, wells and cellars that date back to Roman, Medieval and modern times. After learning about its history, we'll return to the surface and take a walk around the old town of Orte towards the pigeon lofts. These are two underground rooms built between the 12th and 13th centuries for the breeding of pigeons, which were very important for communication in the Middle Ages.
Finally, we'll conclude our tour of the Orte Underground. After an approximately 1.5-hour route, we'll finish the tour in the old Orte Hospital. There, we'll visit its snow well, which was used to collect the ice that was used to preserve medication.
Tour without the Etruscan-Roman Aqueduct
During the booking process, you can opt for a tour without visiting the galleries of the Etruscan-Roman aqueduct. In this case, we'll discover two of the most unique spaces of the medieval heritage of Orte: the pigeon lofts and the former snow well of the Orte Hospital.
We'll explore these underground rooms that served to breed pigeons for food. Did you know this activity was crucial for the city's diet during the Middle Ages? Its design, both functional and unusual, will help us better understand how daily life was.
We'll also visit the ingenious and historic snow well, used for centuries to preserve ice and ensure food and medicine were stored. It's a fascinating example of how medieval communities used natural resources without technology.
This tour will last 1 hour.
Important Info
This activity is not recommended for claustrophobic people.
More Information
Duration
1h - 1h 30m.
Language
The activity takes place with a tour assistant that speaks in English and Italian.
Included
English–speaking tour assistant
Admission to the Orte Underground
When to book?
You can book up until 3 hours before the activity as long as there are still places. Book now to guarantee your spot.
Type of voucher
Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.
Accessibility
Not wheelchair accessible.
Sustainability conditions
All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code.
Our providers commit to:
- Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle.
- Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
- Uphold fair employment standards.
- Foster the growth of local communities.
- Preserve the integrity of local culture.
- Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
- Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
- Operate with honesty and transparency.
- Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.
This particular activity contributes as follows:
- The show represents local culture.
- The indigenous community participates in the management of the activity.
- The activity helps the dissemination of local cultural heritage.
- No printing of documentation required.
- Promotes local employment.
- Has a gender equality policy.
Pets
Allowed, only in outdoor areas.
Frequently asked questions
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Q - Are there any restrictions?
A - This activity is not recommended for people with claustrophobia.
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Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?
A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.
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Q - How to book?
A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.
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Q - Which local supplier will be providing the tour?
A - Ace20 Corporate name: ACe20 SRLS Registered Office: Via dei Calafati 17, Orte, Italy Tax Identification Number (VAT ID): IT02127780563 Contact information Email: lavinia@ace20.it Phone: +393792085237 This supplier is commited to providing services in accordance with applicable European Union laws.
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Q - Is a minimum number of participants required?
A - This activity requires a minimum of 2 participants. Should this number not be reached, we'll get in touch with you to offer alternatives.
If you have any other questions please contact us.
Cancellations
Via Matteotti, 45
Where does the activity end?
Old Orte Hosptial