Cascata delle Mamore

On Saturday we set out to explore the region over the mountains to the east of Spoleto, starting with the Cascata delle Mamore ("Mamore Falls") just out of Terni.  The falls descend 165 metres in three steps, making them the highest in Europe.  The most impressive aspect to me personally is that they are man-made, initially formed by the Romans about 2,200 years ago!  The initial justification was to drain the swampy, malarial plains above, but today they are a tourist attraction, turned on and off each day so the water can also be used for hydroelectric power generation.

The walking tracks (ticket required) take you close to the raging torrents, and the air is full of wet mist raised by the falls.  Photos cannot really convey the impression of something like this, but here goes anyway...