Orvieto, Italy April 15, 2015

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Basilica Santa Maria, Orvieto

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driving to Orvieto

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Still in Rome

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as many of the houses are built on top of each other, there are frequent tunnels — many of them with little shops

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plaza opposite the Basilica Santa Maria

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beautiful curling columns

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doorway detail

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Basilica Santa Maria, Orvieto

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the black and grey striped stone walls visible above and at right were common in the fancier churches

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massive metal doors

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views of the altar at left and above
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looking down the Basilica towards the altar. You can see the basalt and travertine (black and white) striped stone columns. People were expected to stand for the service.

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ceiling cupola above the altar

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The Damned are Taken to Hell and Received by Demons by Signorelli
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  • on the left The Preaching of the Antichrist by Signorelli
  • on the right, The Elect are Taken to Heaven by Signorelli
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beautiful rose window

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view of the vault, Christ in Judgement

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Etruscan vase

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the Tree of Life

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Arthur examines the heavy metal bands to stabilize the basalt and travertine columns

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front facade of the Basilica Santa Maria

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tomb

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tomb

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doorway

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modern pottery shop

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Alpine guards
Notice the alternating basalt and travertine stone in the building’s walls

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then we drove from Orvieto to Florence.