Image of centuries-old Italian well shared with false claim origins 'remain a mystery'

The origins of the Pozzo di San Patrizio -- a historic structure in central Italy -- have been well-documented but online posts have repeatedly shared a picture of the site alongside false claims its beginnings remained a "mystery". Multiple sources indicate the well was dug in the 16th century to supply the city of Orvieto with water in the event of a siege.

"In the Middle Ages in Italy, this well was built, equipped with a ladder that allowed people to descend. The well is 72 metres deep," a Facebook user posted to his 68,000 followers on November 24.

"The origin of the well is a mystery and no one knows who built it and for what purpose," the Malay-language post added.

It shows a photo of a deep well interspersed with windows.

The same image was shared in Facebook posts around the world, including by accounts giving their locations as Malaysia, Syria and the Palestinian territories.

Some Facebook users appeared to believe the purported mysterious origins of the structure, offering their guesses on what they could be.

One speculated it had "a hidden history" while another commented: "Maybe this is an ancient prison."

The image, however, shows the Well of San Patrizio in Italy whose history has been well-documented.

'Water supply'

A reverse image search on Google followed by a keyword search found a similar photo in AFP's 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 AFP's archives (right):

According to the Global Network of Water Museums -- a flagship initiative under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) -- the well was constructed in the 16th century (archived link).

"The Well 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 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."

The report added the well is 54-metres (177-feet) deep, features a double spiral staircase with 248 steps, and has a 13-metre (42-feet) diameter. It is lit by 72 large windows and the water comes from a natural spring.

The official website of Orvieto and a local tourist site included similar details about the construction of the site (archived links here and here).

US photo distributor Getty Images published a picture showing the floor plan and cross section of the well (archived link).