Cascata delle Marmore, Artificial waterfall in Terni, Italy
Cascata delle Marmore is a waterfall in Terni, Italy, created through a system of Roman canals that directs the Velino River over three drops totaling 165 meters (541 feet) into the Nera River below. The water is controlled by modern gates, so the full flow becomes visible only at scheduled times.
Roman consul Manius Curius Dentatus ordered a canal dug in 271 BC to divert the Velino and drain marshes that caused disease. Later engineers expanded the canal system over the centuries, and eventually the water was harnessed for power generation as well.
The name comes from the Marmore hamlet where the falls are located, not from marble or limestone. The site has drawn visitors since the Grand Tour: Byron mentioned it in Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, and painters including Corot and Turner depicted it. Today the park has trails, an environmental education centre and guided tours.
Opening times for the full water flow change with the season, so visitors should check daily schedules in advance before traveling. Several walking paths lead to upper and lower viewpoints, with sturdy footwear advisable due to wet surfaces and stairs.
The flowing water creates rainbows in the spray when sunlight hits it, drawing photographers at certain times of day. The gates open with a clearly audible signal, allowing visitors to watch the sudden surge in flow.
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