Nestled in the greenery of Umbria, central Italy, the Marmore Falls rise majestically as Europe’s tallest artificial waterfall. Its origins trace back to the time of the Roman consul Manius Curius Dentatus, who ordered the reclamation of the waters of the Velino River in 271 B.C.
But there’s more: according to legend, the falls were born from the love between a shepherd and the nymph Nera. Read on to discover this enchanting story!
A jewel of central Italy’s tourism
The Marmore Falls are a true highlight of tourism in central Italy, attracting around 500,000 visitors each year. Surprisingly, many—including Italians—are unaware that the revenue generated is shared between the municipality of Terni (80%) and the province of Terni (20%). In 2022, this amounted to €3.8 million, against management costs of nearly €1.9 million.
Standing at 165 meters tall, the falls hold the title of the highest in their category, with the largest drop reaching an impressive 85 meters.
The origins of the falls
The story begins with the Nera River, which flows through Umbria before merging into the Tiber River as its largest tributary. The second protagonist is the Velino River, the main tributary of the Nera.
Over the centuries, the natural course of the Velino has created a drop by transporting sediments. This led to the formation of a height difference between the Rieti and Terni plateaus. With the waters from the Nera stagnating in this area, the Roman consul ordered the construction of a canal to drain the water towards the Marmore Falls.
The canal, known as Cavo Curiano, could only regulate water flows during low periods, causing frequent flooding in Terni and surrounding areas. After centuries of ineffective attempts, a new bridge, the Cava Clementina, was built in 1598 to manage the flow of water.
The Marmore Falls, as we know them today, are the result of modifications made in 1787 by architect Andrea Vici, who defined the three current drops, giving it the appearance we see today.
The legend of Nera and Velino
The legend is captivating. The rivers Nera and Velino take on life: Nera, the nymph and daughter of the god Appennino, falls in love with Velino, a local shepherd. However, as divine beings, nymphs cannot love mortals. Thus, Nera is punished for her impure love, and Juno, discovering their secret, takes her to the top of Mount Vettore and transforms her into a river that bears her name.
Desperate, Nera flows down the mountain slopes until she reaches the spot of her first meeting with Velino. When the shepherd learns the truth, he jumps from Mount Vettore to be reunited with her. The legend concludes with Jupiter, moved by their passion, transforming Velino into water, thus creating the Velino River so they can be united forever in a dance of water.
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