The natural attractions around San Gemini
The village of San Gemini is located in an area full of wonderful natural attractions, some of which known and celebrated all over the world for centuries as the Marmore Waterfalls and the Sources of Clitunno
So if you love nature, during a break in San Gemini you can enjoy unforgettable excursions in the following 5 not to be missed natural attractions:
1 – The Marmore Waterfalls
The Marmore Waterfalls, thanks to their height of 165 metres, are one of the highest artificial waterfalls in the world and were built in 271 B.C. by the Romans to drain the stagnant waters that surrounded Rieti.
These marvellous waterfalls, visited over the centuries by numerous distinguished personalities, during the nineteenth-century became an unmissable destination of the Grand Tour in Italy.
The Marmore Waterfalls are, in fact, surrounded by lush Mediterranean vegetation that is characterized by great biodiversity. Here you can, in fact, admire rare species of plants and animals, especially birds, now in danger of extinction.
During a visit to Marmore Park, it is also possible to follow different thematic paths that allow you to admire the waterfalls from various belvedere and observation points to fully enjoy their extraordinary beauty.
- Useful information: to see the Marmore Waterfalls and to enter the natural park, it is necessary to pay a ticket.
The Sources of Clitunno
The Sources of Clitunno is a naturalistic park that extends over an area of 10,000 square meters near Campello sul Clitunno, between Spoleto and Foligno.
The springs of the river Clitunno form an enchanting lake populated by swans and ducks that swim among nasturtiums and its banks are surrounded by willows and poplars.
At the time of Romans, these sources were sacred and they built here a temple dedicated to the God Jupiter Clitunno, a personification of the waters of the river.
During the mid-1800s, Count Paolo Campello della Spina embellished this, already, wonderful natural place by planting various species of plants, including aquatic ones, and introducing families of animals to create a sort of earthly paradise where to restore mind and body.
Over the centuries, many writers and poets as Pliny the Younger, Virgil, Carducci and Byron reached this magical place and sang its praises. For example, Byron cited the Sources of Clitunno in the fourth canto of the Child’s Harold Pilmigrage.
- Useful information: children younger than 10 years accompanied by parents do not pay the entrance fee.
The Park of the Source of Sangemini water
The Park of the Source covers an area of 6 hectares and was created in 1889 by the first property of the Sangemini water bottling plant.
The desire was, in fact, to create an area where anyone could benefit from the extraordinary therapeutic properties of the water of the famous Sangemini and Fabia Sources.
This water is characterized by a high content of calcium and other elements as bicarbonates, fluorine, potassium and magnesium, very useful for psychophysical well-being. So, Sangemini water prevents osteoporosis, improves muscle tone and helps regulate blood pressure.
Throughout the twentieth century, the Park of the Source was an important point of reference for anyone who decided to benefit from the properties of this water and, at the same time, wanted to spend some hours in a charming green area.
Closed in 2014 and reopened only in the spring of 2018 thanks to the San Gemini Pro Loco Association, this large park is characterized by the presence of centuries-old oaks and lush Mediterranean plants. This park is, also, dotted with ceramic bas-reliefs created by Umbrian artists and offers tennis courts and a minigolf.
Today, the Park of the Source is also used as an exceptional location for musical events, and food and wine tastings of products of the Umbrian territory.
- Useful information: to access the Park, it is necessary to pay a small fee.
The Lake of Piediluco
The Lake of Piediluco is a picturesque and ample mirror of water that takes its name from the charming village of medieval origin situated along its banks.
This marvellous and peaceful lake is surrounded by several mountains including the Mountain of the Echo which refers, in fact, an incredible echo.
The Piediluco Lake is a perfect place where to practice water sports such as canoeing, sailing or water skiing.
- Useful information: during a visit to the Lake of Piediluco, it is recommended an excursion by boat to admire its banks from a different perspective.
The Nera River Park
The Nera River Park is located in the province of Terni and surrounds the Nera river for about 20 km till the Marmore Waterfalls.
This park is characterized by a varied flora of olive trees, deciduous forests, and plants of the Mediterranean scrub as oaks and pines of Aleppo. Its fauna includes several raptors and thousands of bats that, during the winter, take refuge in the caves of the Marmore Waterfalls.
The Nera River Park is also dotted with numerous charming and perfectly preserved medieval villages such as Torre Orsina, Casteldilago, and Ferentillo, as well as hydroelectric power plants and factories, now abandoned. So, if you are attracted by the industrial archaeology, it’s not to be missed a visit to the former electrochemical plant in Papigno. This location was chosen by Roberto Benigni to shoot many scenes of the film “La vita è bella”, winner of 3 Oscar Awards.
A visit to the Nera River Park can also be an opportunity to enjoy nice mountain bike excursions or to experience rafting.
- Useful information: inside the Nera River Park there is the Nahar Adventure Park with lots of attractions as Tibetan bridges, Tyrolean footbridges, mobile trunks and lianas.
