It's an expensive aerobic exercise (5 euros) and you simply walk down the 175 feet, and then walk up. Its dark, dingy and the history and engineering are more interesting than actualy being there. There are signs that warn you they give no refunds, so,they apparently have been asked for them on numerous occasions. Go to wikipedia and look at... More

history! The story of the well is fascinating...donkeys were able to deliver the water to the surface

This site, on the perimeter of the hilltop city of Orvieto, is worth the time and effort (minimal). To see and understand how the medieval Orvietani designed and constructed this marvel of engineering is invaluable. And, on a hot Umbrian afternoon, to descend into the utopian coolness of this masterpiece is without parallel.

This unique well was created because a pope was paranoid about having water during a feared siege. A double helix, the steps down and down do not intersect the steps leading up. The citizens of Orvieto used little donkeys to carry the water up in buckets and make the return journey unimpeded. If you like a historic and unique adventure,... More

We knew the history of the well, and thought that it was just fascinating. About halfway down though, when it started to get dark and cold, we began to have some second thoughts. I'm 53 with fibromyalgia and asthma (mind you I have them, they don't have me!), hubby is 58 with a desk job and daughter is 27. Should... More

Going down several flights of stairs and then back up seems less exciting than going up, say, the Duomo in Florence, from which you can have a great view. But the history of the well, and the amazing ingenuity to create a double-helix of stairs which donkeys can go up and down is amazing. Well worth it!

Worth visiting just because its so unusual! Going down is fine because it gets cooler, but when you are puffing and panting on the way back up - time to call into the bar at the top for a drink. €5 Adult €3.50 Kids. Not much to see at the bottom - just water (as its a well - what... More

Visited this well that was build by Pope Paul III when he fled Rome to Orvieto and needed a water source. Double helix stairs (separate down spiral and up spiral) 248 wide shallow typical wedge shaped spiral stairs. Donkeys were used to traverse the steps to fetch water from the well. Central shaft with open windows along the way. The... More

This is a fascinating piece of architecture, the well is only lit by natural lighting so as you get closer to the bottom it is rather dim and cool. By the time we had descended one side of the helix staircase I felt a little disorientated, it took me a little while to be able to ascend. There are many... More