The origins of the Pozzo di San Patrizio – a historic structure in central Italy – are well documented, but online posts have repeatedly shared a photo of the site, alongside false claims that its beginnings remained a ‘mystery’. Several sources indicate that the well was dug in the 16th century to provide the city of Orvieto with water in case of a siege.
“In the Middle Ages, this well was built in Italy, equipped with a ladder for people to go down. The well is 72 meters deep,” a Facebook user posted on November 24 to his 68,000 followers.
“The origin of the well is a mystery and no one knows who built it and for what purpose,” the Malaysian post added.
It shows a photo of a deep well, interspersed with windows.
Screenshot of the fake Facebook post captured on December 3, 2024
The same image was shared in Facebook posts around the world, including by accounts that listed their locations as Malaysia, Syria and the Palestinian territories.
Some Facebook users seemed to believe in the alleged mysterious origins of the structure and voiced their suspicions about what they might be.
One speculated that it had “a hidden history,” while another commented, “Maybe this is an old prison.”
However, the image shows the source of San Patrizio in Italy, whose history is well documented.
‘Water supply’
A reverse image search on Google, followed by a keyword search, found a similar photo in the AFP archives (archived link).
“Pozzo di San Patrizio, Orvieto, Terni, Umbria, Italy, Europe,” the caption read in part.
Below is a screenshot comparison of the photo circulating online (left) and in the AFP archives (right):
Screenshot comparison of the photo circulating online (left) and in the AFP archives (right)
According to the Global Network of Water Museums – a flagship initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) – the well was built in the 16th century (archived link).
“The spring of San Patrizio, a masterpiece of Renaissance engineering, was excavated by Pope Clement VII, who took refuge in Orvieto after ‘the sack of Rome’ by the imperial troops and the Lanzichenecchi, to supply the city with water in the event of a disaster. a siege,” it said.
“The task was entrusted to Antonio da Sangallo the Younger in 1527. The work was completed in 1537 under the papacy of Paul III Farnese.”
According to the report, the pit is 54 meters deep, equipped with a double spiral staircase with 248 steps and a diameter of 13 meters. It is illuminated by 72 large windows and the water comes from a natural spring.
Orvieto’s official website and a local tourist site contain similar details about the site’s construction (archived links here and here).
The American photo distributor Getty Images published a photo of the plan and cross-section of the well (archived link).
Screenshot of the well plan photo published by Getty Images
