Marmore Falls

Marmore Falls

The Cascata delle Marmore or Marmore Falls is a man-made waterfall created by the ancient Romans. Its total height is 165 m, making it the tallest man-made waterfall in the world.

The Marmore waterfalls are located about 7 km away from Terni, in Umbria, almost at the end of the Valnerina, the long valley carved by the Nera river. It is a controlled-flow waterfall, the highest man-made waterfall in the world and among the highest in Europe, relying on a total difference in height of 165 m, divided into three jumps, inserted in a large natural park. The name derives from the calcium carbonate salts present on the rocks which are similar to white marble.

The waterfall is formed by the Velino river which, near the hamlet of Marmore, flows from the lake of Piediluco and plunges with a crash into the underlying Nera gorge. It is part of the Nera river park.

The waters of the waterfall are used for the production of hydroelectricity. Normally only a part of the water of the Velino river (average flow rate 50 m³ / s) is diverted towards the waterfall (about 30%, equivalent to about 15 m³ / s). The waterfall is therefore not always open at full capacity. When open to minimal flow, the waterfall uncovers the rocks and vegetation below.

An acoustic signal warns of the opening of the regulation gates, and in a few minutes the flow rate increases until it gives it the familiar appearance. Access to the park is possible from below (lower belvedere) and from above (upper belvedere) with payment of a ticket. Several paths run through the park and it is possible to walk between the two viewpoints, both uphill and downhill.

At night the waterfall is always illuminated by an advanced latest generation LED system, which guarantees a beam of light and uniform illumination.