The beautiful Torre del Moro stands proudly at the crossroads of three of the most important streets in the city: Corso Cavour, Via della Costituente and Via del Duomo, as if to highlight the heart of the city and act as a watershed between the four districts that compose it. Formerly known as the Torre del Papa, the tower was reputedly granted to the Commune of Orvieto, together with the annexed building Palazzo dei Sette, by Pope Leo X, in 1515.
Various hypotheses have been advanced regarding its etymology: according to some, it derives from the insignia of the Moor or quintain that was affixed to the tower on the occasion of the medieval jousts, while according to others it is attributable to Raffaele di Sante, also known as ‘il Moro’ who lived there in the 16th century.
The tower rises to a height of about 50 metres above the city and is accessible to visitors. The terrace on the top affords a breath-taking, all-round view of the entire city of Orvieto and the surrounding area.
Annexed to the tower and directly connected to it is Palazzo dei Sette. Belonging previously to the Della Terza counts, it later passed under Papal rule and was the seat of the Governor during the period of the Communes. Tradition has it that the building also hosted Antonio da Sangallo for a certain period. The name derives from the very important function that the building covered at the end of the 13th century, when it was chosen as the seat of the magistracy of the seven consuls representing the Arts and Crafts of the city of Orvieto.
The building underwent renovations and alternations in the 16th century and in more recent times, in 1996, when it was transformed into an elegant space for exhibitions and events.