The Sources of Clitunno, a slice of paradise
The park of the Sources of Clitunno is an enchanted place that boasts a rich biodiversity about half an hour’s drive from the medieval village of San Gemini.
An excursion to this park is recommended for its historical, naturalistic and literary interest and, thanks to the presence of simple and flat paths, it is recommended both for families with children and for people with motor disability.
Discover many interesting information to plan and enjoy a visit to this extraordinary place.
The characteristics of the park of the Sources of Clitunno
The park of the Sources of Clitunno is a natural oasis that stretches over 10,000 square meters in Campello sul Clitunno near Spoleto, in the province of Perugia.
This park, that includes the sources of the river Clitunno, is characterized by the presence of a picturesque pond inhabited by swans and ducks and is surrounded by numerous and rare plant species.
The history of the Sources of Clitunno
The Clitunno is a river of Umbria that flows through 60 km in the territories of Pissignano, Cannaiola, Trevi and Bevagna before throwing into the Topino, a sub-tributary of the Tiber, and its sources have been known for millennia.
In fact, at the time of the Romans, the Sources of Clitunno were considered sacred and here the pagan priests questioned the oracle of the God Clitunno, the personification of the waters of the river. An important evidence of this cult is represented by the suggestive temple situated along its banks.
Over the centuries, this place has undergone several changes and its current appearance is due to the interventions commissioned during the 1800s by Count Paolo Campello della Spina who, on the wave of romantic aesthetics, decided to create a sort of paradise on earth.
During those years, new plants, including aquatic plants, and families of animals such as swans, ducks and squirrels, were introduced into the park.
The Temple of Clitunno
The Temple of Clitunno was built by the Romans, probably, at the beginning of the fifth century to celebrate the God Clitunno and after the first barbarian invasions, it was transformed into an early Christian church dedicated to San Salvatore.
This small temple is characterized by a harmonious and valuable shape appreciated over centuries, also by important architects such as Palladio, Piranesi and Vanvitelli.
Today, the Temple of Clitunno thanks to its state of excellent conservation and its striking beauty has been included among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The nature of the Sources of Clitunno
The park of the Sources of Clitunno is a unique and evocative place due to the marvellous nature that surrounds its lake.
This small lake with a diameter of about 400 meters is surrounded by particular plant species such as cress or Nasturtium, aquatic horsetail or Hippuris vulgaris, water starwort or Callitriche stagnalis and mad-dog weed or Alisma plantago-aquatica, an elegant aquatic plant whose stem can reach over one meter in height.
Into the park of the Sources of Clitunno is also possible to admire several weeping willows and lush poplars.
Within this suggestive natural area, there are also families of swans, ducks and squirrels that concur to create an enchanted and out of time atmosphere.
The Sources of Clitunno in literature
For thousands of years, the extraordinary beauty of the Sources of Clitunno has attracted the admiration of numerous writers, artists and poet who have praised them in their works.
The first writer to mention the Sources of Clitunno was Pliny the Younger, Virgil sang them in his Georgics and Propertius praised them in one of his Elegies.
During the nineteenth century, the beauty of this magical place has enchanted George Byron who described it in the fourth book of Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage and Carducci, who dedicated it an ode.
Useful information to plan the visit to the Sources of Clitunno
Discover many useful information to plan your visit to the park of the Sources of Clitunno.
Opening hours
The opening hours of the park of the Sources of Clitunno vary according to the seasons, so in order to organize a visit, it is advisable to check them in advance.
The park is, however, open every day except for December 25th.
Ticket rates
It is necessary to pay a ticket to access the park of the Sources of Clitunno.
The full ticket costs 3 euros, while for groups of at least 15 people it costs 2 euros. Children under the age of 10 can access it for free.
How to reach the Sources of Clitunno
The park of the Sources of Clitunno is located along the Via Flaminia in the municipality of Campello sul Clitunno at 40 km from the village of San Gemini.