Most people only know Orvieto in the summer and this summer was exceptionally hot and dry. And then the rains came…..

This was the scene of devastation seen from Albernoz Castle on Monday 12 Nov, 2012. Scores of cars lie submerged in the station carpark. Businesses and homes are devastated – the damage is estimated at 50 million euros.

It was very bad in Tuscany too. Camera Etruscans will be familiar with Vulci but they will never have seen it like this.

The river at its height was several metres higher still as you can see from the scoured river bank where no vegetation has been spared. The river Fiora devastated the coast at Montalto di Castro.

 

Here is the view from the castle. Here the high water mark can be seen about 4m above the river. Thankfully the bridge wasn’t swept away – but then it has stood for nearly three thousand years.

Etruscan city, Italy, Orvieto, Umbria