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CAMPO DELLA FIERA AND THE WELL OF TIME

A documentary by MASSIMO D'ALESSANDRO

At the Campo della Fiera archaeological site, identified as the Etruscan Fanum Voltumnae, the exploration of an ancient well brings to light hundreds of medieval ceramics and a mysterious seal linked to Philip IV and the Knights Templar. An archaeological journey through more than two thousand years of history.

Are you interested in hosting a screening, licensing the documentary, or organizing a keynote with the creators?      đź‘‰ Contact Director Massimo D'Alessandro & The Production Team

At the foot of Orvieto's cliff, at the site identified by numerous scholars as the Fanum Voltumnae—the legendary federal sanctuary of the Etruscans—over twenty-five years of research have unearthed temples, altars, sacred roads, inscriptions, and evidence of continuous human activity spanning centuries.

The film follows a new and complex archaeological mission: the exploration of the well that once belonged to the medieval convent of San Pietro in Vetere. Beneath meters of water and mud, the well preserves an extraordinary sequence of artifacts that trace the transformation of Campo della Fiera from the Etruscan world to the Roman era, from the Middle Ages to the dawn of the modern age.

From the Etruscan Sanctuary to the Well of Wonders

Campo della Fiera was a place of worship of exceptional importance. According to the hypothesis put forward by archaeologist Simonetta Stopponi, this was the site of the Fanum Voltumnae, the sanctuary where representatives of Etruscan cities gathered to celebrate rituals, games, and assemblies. Archaeological investigations have revealed a grand Via Sacra, several temple buildings, fountains, votive deposits, and inscriptions dedicated to Etruscan deities. Among the most significant finds is a dedication in which the sanctuary is referred to as the "celestial place."

The documentary reconstructs the main phases in the site's history:

  • the splendor of the Etruscan sanctuary;
  • the Roman conquest of Velzna;
  • the transformation of the area during the Imperial era;
  • the construction of a domus with thermal baths;
  • the founding of the church of San Pietro in Vetere;
  • the development of the medieval fair from which the name Campo della Fiera derives.

The Archaeological Excavation of the Well

The narrative heart of the film is the descent into the convent's well. The exploration requires the use of pumps, hoisting systems, fall-arrest equipment, and specific procedures for confined spaces. Archaeologists and specialized technicians work under difficult conditions, immersed in mud and beneath a constant flow of groundwater. What initially appears to be a routine archaeological excavation turns into an extraordinary discovery. Hundreds of medieval cups, jugs, mugs, tableware, and majolica pieces emerge from the well, many of which are perfectly preserved. The hoard documents over five centuries of Orvieto's ceramic production and allows for the reconstruction of the evolution of forms and decorations from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.

The Black Death and Medieval Ceramics

Some of the artifacts may have been thrown into the well during the Black Death of 1348, when objects deemed contaminated were discarded to limit the spread of the disease. Other vessels were likely lost during the well's normal use. The presence of chains, hooks, and tools used to retrieve objects that had fallen into the water provides direct evidence of daily life surrounding the medieval fair in Orvieto. Among the finds are majolica pieces decorated in green and brown, heraldic motifs, human figures, and a distinctive depiction of a mermaid or harpy with features still linked to classical iconography.

The Mysterious Seal of Philip IV the Fair

At the bottom of the well, at a depth of about eleven meters, a small bronze artifact was also recovered, intentionally broken into four pieces. The object depicts a sovereign seated on a throne and has been associated with Philip IV of France, the king who ordered the arrest of the Knights Templar in 1307. The anomalies present in the artifact suggest that it may be a counterfeit die, perhaps intended for the production of forged documents or safe-conducts. Its discovery opens a new line of research into the relationships between the French monarch, the Templars, and the city of Orvieto. The film does not offer a sensationalist solution but takes the viewer on a journey through an ongoing investigation, demonstrating how archaeology can unearth objects capable of reshaping our understanding of history.

Archaeology, Research, and Memory

Campo della Fiera and the Well of Time combines scientific research, underground exploration, and historical narrative. The documentary shows every stage of the work: from the technical preparation of the excavation to the recovery of artifacts, from cataloging to the restoration of ceramics in the laboratories of the University of Foggia, all the way to their public display. Campo della Fiera thus emerges not only as an archaeological site but as a place of memory where different civilizations, religions, and communities intersect.

Numerous structures still remain beneath the surface, waiting to be investigated. The site's future will depend on the ability to protect what has already been discovered and to support new research campaigns. 

AWARDS:

  • Audience Award at Firenze Archeofilm 2025
  • Special Mention from the Jury at Firenze Archeofilm 2025
  • Audience Award at the Cavriana International Archaeological Film Festival 2025
  • Best Documentary Award (outstanding achievement) at 6 RIFF - Roshani International Film Festival 2025 (India)
  • Best Feature Documentary at Rajgir International Film Festival, Nalanda (september 2025)
  • Best Documentary at Nawada International Film Festival 6th Season (december 2025)
  • Best Short Film at Ogeechee International Film Festival (Georgia, USA)
  • Best Documentary at Saath Jiyo International Film Festival (India)

FESTIVALS AND SCREENINGS:

  • 8 March 2025, 12 noon, Florence Archeofilm. International Festival of Archaeology, Art and Environment (Florence) – PREMIERE
  • 9 May 2025: Santa Severa Castle (Santa Marinella – RM)
  • 6 June 2025: Marco Besso Foundation (Rome)
  • 18 July 2025: Maremma Archeofilm – International Archaeological Film Festival – 4th edition
  • 26 July 2025: Cavriana Archaeological Film Festival (MN)
  • 9 August 2025: Under the Sky of the Etruscans – Campo della Fiera (Orvieto)
  • 17 August 2025: 6th RIFF – Roshani International Film Festival (India)
  • 11 September 2025: Mondè Film Festival, Foggia
  • 25 September 2025: RAM Film Festival, Rovereto
  • 15 October 2025: RAN – Rencontres d'ArchĂ©ologie de la Narbonnaise
  • 13–19 October 2025: Arkhaios Film Festival (USA) – out of competition
  • 18 October 2025: Foca Film Days (Turkey)
  • 8 November 2025: Gambolò International Film Festival in Lomellina
  • 10–15 November: FICAB – Bidasoa Archaeological Film Festival (Spain)
  • 3 December 2025: Licodia Eubea Archaeological Film Festival (CT)
  • 21 December 2025: Nawada International Film Festival (India)
  • 25 December 2025: Finalist at the Red Movie Awards (Reims, France)
  • 6 March 2026: Official Selection at: Ogeechee International Film Festival (Georgia, USA)
  • 26 February 2026: Saath Jiyo International Film Festival (India)
  • 25 May 2026: Agon International Film Festival, Athens (Greece)
  • 9 July 2026: Archeofilm Civitade Camuno (BS)

INTERVIEWS:

CREDITS:

  • Title: CAMPO DELLA FIERA AND THE WELL OF TIME

  • Author: Massimo D'Alessandro
  • Produced by: A.S.S.O. (Underwater Archaeology and Speleology Organisation) ETS
  • In collaboration with: Campo della Fiera Association, Department of Humanities, University of Foggia, Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of Umbria, Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Province of Viterbo and Southern Etruria
  • Scientific consultants: Marco Cruciani, Danilo Leone, Mario Mazzoli, Silvia Simonetti, Simonetta Stopponi, Vincenzo Valenzano
  • Executive producers: Mario Mazzoli, Maria Teresa Pilloni
  • Cinematography: Marco Vitelli
  • Narrator: Valerio Sacco
  • Music: Edizioni Flipper Music
  • Editing and Direction: Massimo D'Alessandro
  • Running time: 50 minutes
  • Language: Italian
  • Subtitles: English, French, German
  • 2024
  • Genre: archaeological and historical documentary

  • Main Location: Campo della Fiera, Orvieto, Umbria

  • Themes: Etruscans, Fanum Voltumnae, medieval archaeology, ceramics, Templars, well excavations