Via Paradiso

Passage to heaven is straight ahead!

Strolling through Orvieto's spider's web of medieval streets, one encounters streets with wonderful names. For example, via delle donne (street of women), via del pozzo bianco (street of white wells), viccolo degli orti (street of orchards), and various others, all sort of poetic and charming. One of the pleasures of walking in Orvieto is to get lost among the ancient streets of the old town and let imagination wonder the origins of the names of these streets.

Orvieto map (Orvietovia.com)

The name of this narrow, short road on the outskirts of town is "Via del Paradiso," or "the Road to Heaven”. I stopped and looked at the road sign posted under it, which read, "This road is 2 meters wide”, with a straight arrow. In other words, "the road to heaven" is straight ahead but 2 meters wide? When I bumped into this street sign, I had to take a photo and proceed straight to paradise!

What popped up in my mind is the title of one of my favorite French writer, Andre Gide’s book, “The Narrow Gate”.

Enter by the narrow gate. The gate that leads to destruction is wide, and the way is broad, and many enter through it. But the gate that leads to life is narrow and its path is narrow. Few find it."

- The scripture "The Narrow Gate" in Matthew 7:7-13-14

Although the Bible does not mention the width of the road to heaven (2 meters?), walking on this narrow, quiet street makes one feel very serene. In fact, during the spring when the flowers on the walls are in bloom, it is indeed like stepping into a paradise. 

If you happen to be wandering the streets of Orvieto, please pay attention to the street names - I am sure that you will be entertained by a medley of ancient poetry!

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