Marmore Falls
The high artificial waterfalls in Europe were created back in Roman times and have undergone several changes over the years. Visitors can explore them via several organized trails with varying levels of difficulty. To witness the water eruption and the difference between the regular water flow and the flow when the dam is opened, it is essential to arrive during specific hours announced in advance. Prior to the release, warnings are made using sirens (3 sirens: a quarter of an hour, 10 minutes, and 5 minutes before releasing the water, mainly to alert hikers and fishermen). The sight is incredibly beautiful, the air becomes cool and refreshing, and watching them from Piazza Byron, alongside coffee or ice cream, is highly recommended.
As mentioned, it’s important to check the website for the months, days, and opening hours. The times vary between winter and summer months. Click for updated opening hours on the website
When arriving before the dam opens, you can see clearly the vegetation and rocks beneath the water. Once the dam is opened, after about a quarter of an hour, the water reaches its peak force and height in the stream. Here you can find rare plants and animals such as the European eel or the spotted kingfisher (known in Italian as ballerina), and the dwarf kingfisher also inhabits this area.
Please note – don’t get confused – head to the Lower Falls Cascate Inferiori
(and NOT !! the Upper Falls Cascate superiore). The location makes all the difference in enjoyment.
Click for the driving route on Waze
The schedules of the artificial waterfalls and their flow are timed:
Opening Hours: Note the changing opening hours between the seasons.
But first, it’s important to know! There are 2 types of opening hours:
1- For the waterfalls themselves (in Italian Rilascio Acqua) which are viewed from the lower viewpoint known as Belvedere Inferiore – and that’s the place to reach !!
2- For the tour in the park itself (in Italian – Apertura parco) which is seen from the upper viewpoint Belvedere Superiore – it’s nice but doesn’t compare to the view from the lower part.
Be sure to arrive according to the opening hours of the waterfalls themselves so you don’t miss them.
Add at least 10 minutes to buy a ticket at the box office in the parking lot of the lower viewpoint. After that a few more minutes of walking to the entrance to the site.
A recommendation that will save you valuable time: Buy your ticket in advance on the site instead of risking standing in a long line.
From there to the entrance point to the park and the viewpoint.
You can also pass by the café and the souvenir shop.
A warm recommendation: after the viewpoint, go down the stairs, cross the river, and walk along several charming trails that are not difficult at all, bringing you right up close to the waterfalls themselves.
More about the place….
The year is 271 BC, the height of the Roman Republic.
The consul, the victor of seven battles, Mario Curio Dentato, adorned with praise and accolades, successfully alters the river’s course due to initial changes to the riverbanks. These early modifications to the river’s banks lead to swamps and stagnant tar water in the area around Terni, creating a short path to regional diseases.
The change ordered by the consul manages to remove obstacles and allow the Velino River to flow, while simultaneously conducting additional excavation to prevent the swampland waters from merging with the river water, resulting in the creation of the Cascata delle Marmore waterfalls.
This Roman ‘creation’ has stood as it is for 17 centuries! Since this period, alterations have had to be made repeatedly, such as opening new flow channels to release some of the accumulated water in certain areas upstream, around the town of Piediluco.
The water is crucial for all the industry surrounding Terni.
The dam opens three times a day, depending on the season, allowing the flow of water. If you arrive before the dam opens, you can see clearly the vegetation and rocks beneath the water. When the dam opens after about quarter of an hour, the water reaches its peak force and height in the river.
It is also possible to get closer and watch the water burst (and get a bit wetter) by entering the reserve, crossing the river on the Ponte di Ferro bridge and walking along paths 1 or 2. These will lead you through trees, stairs, and small waterfalls to an excellent lookout point, Punto Panoramico Sentiero 2.
For trekking enthusiasts, the place also offers more challenging trails.
The site is protected by European bodies that granted it the status of a protected area. Here, there are rare plants and animals like the European eel and the rare water pipit (Italian: ballerina), as well as the dwarf kingfisher.
And there’s a legend…
It tells of a nymph named ‘Nera’ and a simple farmer named ‘Velino’.
They fell in love but understood they could not fulfill their love due to their worlds apart. The goddess Juno was angered at Nera for loving a human and turned her into a river. Velino, believing his beloved had drowned, decided to leap into the waters, but Jupiter chose to save him, and at the moment he jumped in from one of the spots, he too was transformed into river water.
And thus, they united for eternity.
And there’s romance too…
The famous British poet Byron, during one of his travels in Italy in the 17th century, visited the site and described the sight of the waterfalls that unfolded before his eyes. In the square named after him, you can see a stone bench and a statue of his likeness along with his cloak.
