Orvieto: Who knew?

The cobblestones are literally modern, dating from the mid-18th century, but standing in the piazza del duomo is an occasion to look UP at the amazing mosaic facade of the Orvieto cathedral:

And I'll tell you, it is remarkable what you learn from a guide book!  Orvieto is a very special place... lovely medieval town, tangled streets, gorgeous shopping and food, cheery locals, Classico wine, AND the Body of Christ.  And when you visit the side chapel devoted to the MIRACLE of the body of Christ you will stand in awe as you gaze upon exquisite art that tells the story of the transubstantiation.  Pope Urban IV gave the orders to build this incredible church in order to provide a suitable home for a bloodstained cloth.  This is the relic that pilgrims have visited for centuries!  It is known as the Corporal of Bolsena.  In 1263 in the nearby town of Bolsena, a traveling priest was pondering the validity of transubstantiation.  When during mass he found that the Host was bleeding onto the altar cloth!  He was stunned and so were the people he displayed it to.  The frescoes tell the whole story:

Now the bloodstained cloth is housed in the Chapel de Corporal when it isn't touring.  BUT, the interesting thing is that this miracle initiated the Feast of the Corpus Christi.  On the first weekend of June, which corresponded with our visit.  We were having a lovely Umbrian dinner when the town procession went by on its way to the Duomo:

V V neat!!