Italy

Cascata delle Marmore

WHS Score 0.53
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  • Philipp Peterer
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The Cascata delle Marmore at 165m high are the tallest man-made falls in the world: they were built in 271BC by the Roman Consul Curius Dentatus, who wished to put an end to the floods in the Sabine Valley. The falls are located in the Valnerina, a valley in southeastern Umbria. Due to the isolation and protection of the Alta Valnerina, the upper valley, it was favoured as the site of many hermitages. These grew into monastic organizations, who organised the development of farming in the valley, with many of their works still visible today.

Site Info

Official Information
Full Name
Cascata delle Marmore and Valnerina: Monastic sites and ancient hydrogeological reclamation works (ID: 2031)
Country
Italy
Status
On tentative list 2006 Site history
History of Cascata delle Marmore
2006: Added to Tentative List
Added to tentative list
Criteria
Links
UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org

Community Reviews

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First published: 23/08/22.

Philipp Peterer

Cascata Delle Marmore

Cascata delle Marmore (On tentative list)

Cascata delle Marmore by Philipp Peterer

This proposal includes the impressive and picturesque Marmore waterfall and several monasteries. Another one of these Italian sites, where they try to include completely different sites into one WHS, just for the geographical vicinity (looking at you, Paestum).

Due to lack of time I was only able to visit the waterfall. I will return to the monasteries, if this ever gets inscribed. While I can’t say anything about the monasteries, at least the waterfall is remarkable, as they are man made by the Romans to divert the Velino river into the Nera river and dry the wetlands in the Rieti Valley (flooding Terni as a side effect).

The waterfall is located close to Terni, shortly off the route between Viterbo and Assisi that is spiked with WHS and TWHS along the way.

To my surprise, this site is very touristy. Your main target should be the lower viewpoint. Select “Parcheggio auto Cascate delle Marmore” on Google Maps and you are fine. There you can buy a ticket. The line was long, but I found an online purchase option to skip it. The ticketed area, located after a village of shops and restaurants, offers very nice views, two fast food options. There are “hiking” trails that bring you close to the waterfalls. Very close indeed as you will for sure get wet. There is also an upper view point on the other side of the valley.

Be aware: the water is nowadays mostly diverted through a hydro …

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