Marmore Waterfalls

The Marmore Falls are considered one of the highest in Europe: the total drop from the top to the base is 165 meters, divided into three cascades that give them their current spectacular appearance. The waterfall is formed by the Velino River, which flows into the Nera River from nearby Piediluco Lake. The name Marmore comes from the peculiar calcium carbonate salts that settle on the mountain’s rocks, whose reflection in the sunlight makes them resemble white marble crystals. Marmore is also the name of the nearby medieval village, one of the most beautiful in the Valnerina, along with Piediluco and Arrone.

It’s important to pay attention to the waterfall’s opening hours; it’s not always possible to see it in its full form, as the waters are used to generate hydroelectric power. The release of the water is monitored regularly, and it only takes a few minutes for the flow to reach its maximum.

The waterfall has not always looked like this: over the years, many engineering interventions have been necessary to tame the flow of the Velino.