Marmore
waterfall, 7 km from Terni along the SS. Valnerina, can be reached by
Frallarenza in 1 hour and 15 minutes by car.
It is the highest waterfall in Europe (165 meters), immersed in a gorgeous
natural scenery: unspoilt forests, deep gorges carved by the waters of the Black
River, and
pathways with wooden bridges, scenic spots, stairs in the steepest spots;
you can walk along and across the river downstream of the waterfall, and then
climb the side of the waterfall in a beautiful route that reaches the top of
the waterfall.
Beware of opening
hours timetable, because now and then they close the tap ... and the waterfall
is no longer there! From about 50 years the waters of the waterfall is used to power
a hydroelectric power station
The price of
the ticket is € 10.00 (adults) and € 7.00 (children aged from 5 to 10)
Origins and History
Marmore waterfall is an artificial work due to the Romans. The deposits
of limestone water caused, especially in periods of flood, the overflowing
of the river Velino so that large areas of Rieti's flat became wetlands.
In 271 a.C. Consul Manlio Curio Dentatus reclaim the land surrounding
the river, digging a canal that carries water to the cliff of Marmore,
from where it can still fall over into the Black River, with a jump
of 165 meters. The channel got the goal proposed by Curio Dentatus but
was insufficient to contain the waters of the Velino in periods of flood.
The inhabitants of Rieti proposed an expansion of the canal to prevent
the overflowing of the river, but the inhabitants of Terni opposed to
this work becouse they feared flooding of their territory.
In the following centuries there were several attempts to resolve this
problem, until in 1787 the architect Andrea Vici from Terni finally
solved the problem by giving to the waterfall and the river's course
the current appearance.
