Skip menu
Italian rivers represent an essential part of the country’s identity. In Italy there are over 60 rivers that wind their way through rolling hills, green valleys, and historic cities. Many of these are popular tourist destinations and offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy many activities including canoeing, rafting and fishing.
Rivers 69 Search results
Nature
TR Cascate delle Marmore

Cascata delle Marmore

The Marmore Falls, in the heart of Umbria Less than ten kilometres from Terni, in Umbria, are the Marmore Falls, among the highest waterfalls in Europe, at a whopping 165 metres. These are actually artificial waterfalls that form where the Velino River, starting from Lake Piediluco, flows into the Nera River. The Romans began excavating the canal, specifically the Curiano Trench, in 271 BC. This engineering work aimed to drain the waters of the Velino River, which was overflowing onto the land, creating stagnant, swampy and toxic areas. The water was directed towards the edge of the Marmore cliff, and over the following centuries many alterations have been made to it until it ultimately became what we see today. Three unique points of view The Marmore Falls are divided into three jumps, which you can admire from two different points, the Upper Belvedere and the Lower Belvedere. The first is located on the outskirts of the village of Marmore, on the road leading to Piediluco, offering spectacular views of the first jump, while from the Lower Belvedere you can admire the entire waterfall in all its majesty. A scenic path connects the two points. From the Lower Belvedere, you can also access the Lovers' Balcony, a small terrace located in front of the first jump of the waterfall, embedded in the rock. It is so close you can reach out and touch the water, so don't forget to bring your waterproof! And unlike with other viewpoints, you have to be accompanied by an experienced guide in a small group. The Falls at night With the exception of the Balcony, you can visit the Marmore Falls on your own. There are six well-signposted trails, so you can admire the jumps from every possible angle. In the summer months, opening hours are extended past sunset to allow you to admire the views long into the evening. An LED lighting system brings a whole new charm to the Falls at night, producing special effects with beams of light that enhance the movement of the falling water. Marmore: sport and culture The Marmore Falls are also an ideal destination for water sports: from rafting to soft rafting, from canyoning to hydrospeeding, from kayaking to river walking, you are sure to be spoiled for choice. Near the Upper Belvedere you will find the Industrial Archaeological Park of Campacci di Marmore, which preserves objects from the Narni and Galleto hydroelectric power stations. The caves of the Archeological Park in Marmore The Marmore Falls also have another nice surprise in store for its visitors. The park to which it belongs has karstic caves, which have been excavated by water over millennia. The main ones, in terms of both speleological interest and beauty, are set in three distinct complexes: the first includes the Grotta della Morta and the Grotta delle Diaclasi, the second is the Grotta delle Colonne, while the third, extending over 190 metres, is the Grotta della Condotta, named after the ancient conduit that once fed the hydroelectric power station system. How to organise your visit Visiting the Falls is a truly unique experience. So you can best enjoy its beauty, we highly recommend planning to be at a good viewpoint the moment the gates are opened so you can watch the powerful rush of water. Otherwise, the Falls are still open, but with a reduced jet of water. The Falls also serve the Galleto hydroelectric power plant, meaning it is not only an environmental asset of rare beauty, but also a valuable resource for the area. Find out more: https://www.raftingmarmore.com https://www.cascatadellemarmore.info
Villages
Montebruno

Montebruno

An agricultural centre in the upper Trebbia Valley, it boasts ancient origins. Evidence of this can be seen in the historical connections in the year 1000 between the church of S. Onorato di Torriglia and the church dedicated to S. Maria with the annexed "hospitale" of Montebruno, a place of refuge and rest for merchants, horsemen and pilgrims travelling along the "caminus janue", a medieval connection route between the river port of Piacenza and that of Genoa. In 1164, the Malaspina family received the feud of the castle of Montebruno from Frederick Barbarossa. In the second half of the 17th century Montebruno was the seat, for a short time, of a mint for the production of 'luigini and octavetti' with the effigy of Violante Doria. In memory of the Napoleonic period, a colourful hot-air balloon festival is organised in the locality every year, linked to the accident that befell Sophie Blanchard who fell here in 1811 with her own balloon. The locality is home to the Photographic Museum of Balloon Flight. Today, in addition to the four-arched stone bridge over the Trebbia, you can visit the Museum of Peasant Culture with its extensive collection of material, the Bookbinding Museum and the Augustinian Sanctuary of N.S. di Montebruno, dating back to 1496. The aforementioned hamlet is also part of the Antola Regional Natural Park: one of the most enchanting areas of the Apennines and the Ligurian hinterland, thanks to the extraordinary panorama of the 1600 m Mount Antola and the activities of the nearby Brugneto Lake.
Nature
Corbara

Corbara

3 jewels in the Tiber River Park. The village of Corbara, the lake, the Forello Gorges... only a taste of countless treasures The Tiber River Park is a treasure trove of wonders: archaeological sites and prehistoric settlements, villages and castles, oasis and wetlands, caves and gorges, forests populated by deer, mouflons and a variety of migratory and resident birds... We have chosen three: just a taste. 1 - The wilderness of the Forello gorges Nestled between the Peglia Mountains and the Amerini Mountains, in the area between Todi and Orvieto, the waters of the Tiber make their way through the narrow Forello Gorges: high and jagged banks reaching almost 200 metres, a dense vegetation, karstic coves and magnificent cave complexes carved over the centuries by water into the calcareous rock. A true wonder of nature. The Forello gorges are an ideal destination for speleology enthusiasts. Not to be missed, the "Pozzi della Piana" caves, accessible from Roccaccia, near the ancient village of Titignano, on the right bank of the Tiber. 2,500 metres into the bowels of the earth, in a labyrinth of tunnels - and stalactites and stalagmites - where artefacts dating from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages have been found. Equally exciting is the Vorgozzino cave: the entrance is a chute in the centre of a sinkhole and then all the way down in a 123 metres deep well. The landscape shaped by the river waters is impervious and wild, primordial, with no obvious traces of human presence. Not only caving enthusiasts, but also climbing lovers will find satisfaction here: an equipped crag with more than 20 routes, to be practised especially during spring and autumn or in summer mornings. It is located on the left bank of the Tiber, before the Lake Corbara. There are also plenty of trails along the river or through the woods to immerse in nature at a slow pace. 2 - Lake Corbara Lake Corbara has a pretty recent history: it originated in 1962 after the construction of a dam for hydroelectric power generation and soon became a paradise for fishing and a destination for active and naturalistic tourism. Many sports and activities can be practised in this corner of Umbria: canyoning, canoeing, stand up paddling, caving... Birdwatchers will also find enjoyment, given the presence of a large number of herons. But even relaxation fans will not be disappointed at all! 3 - Corbara The lake takes its name from Corbara, a tiny village that stands right next to the dam, to the south. The ancient village is enchanting, dominated by its castle, a fortified mediaeval complex with a rectangular plan and an inner courtyard, a loggia and a circular tower, surrounded by ancient oaks. From Corbara's panoramic viewpoints, the eyes embrace the lake and the surrounding fields of lush vines and aromatic olive trees. Bacchus' friends will be glad to know that, thanks to the special soil quality and the microclimate of the lake, the wines produced in the hills between Corbara and Baschi had gained a specific high quality denomination in 1998: “Lago di Corbara DOC”. The food lovers, instead, are reminded of an unmissable culinary event: the traditional "Sagra dell'Oca" (or goose festival), in June. The undisputed protagonist is obviously the roasted goose, traditionally eaten in ancient times to celebrate the end of wheat threshing. Is there more? Oh yes, there is much more. The pleasure of discovery is all yours! Credit to: Andrea Arbia
Villages
Attigliano

Attigliano

Attigliano, a terrace over the Tiber valley An ancient ruined castle above the river that flows toward the Eternal City Attigliano is a small Umbrian village in the province of Terni, very close to the border with Lazio. Its current name seems to come from the Latin word attilius, linked to the presence of a forest of linden trees that once provided refreshment to the villagers. The village stands as a true natural terrace overlooking the Tiber Valley. On the central square, Piazza della Rocca, is the bell tower with its unusual clock showing 12 hours and a single hand, and, in the centre, the Dolphin Fountain, made in 1885 by Ramperto da Amelia. Why it is special The village's origins are Etruscan, but the buildings that now distinguish the village's oldest core date back to the mediaeval period. Elements of great charm are certainly the remains of the castle: portions of the walls, some towers and the entrance portal. Looking at them, one is caught up in fantasising about how it must have been once upon a time: a true fortress with a moat and a drawbridge. Soon, however, your eyes return to the present, and you are guided to the most scenic cliff, overlooking the valley crossed by the Tiber. A bit of history The history of Attigliano is very eventful: first it was in the hands of the Counts of Alviano, then it was involved in the wars of Todi, the town that retained possession of the castle until the sixteenth century. The domination then passed to the Alviano family and later to Pope Paul the Third. From there the village passed to numerous eminent families of the time, until the Unification of Italy, when Attigliano finally became independent. Good to know Although the old town no longer retains evidence of the oldest times, the village's surroundings show visible historical relics: tombs and crypts dug into the tuffaceous rock that testify to the passage of the Etruscan civilization. Credit to: LigaDue
Nature
Santa Giulia

Santa Giulia

Po della Donzella: the Santa Giulia pontoon bridge The thrill of a river crossing on one of the last barge bridges The Po della Donzella is one of the seven branches of the “delta” formed by the great Po river. After detaching from the main branch, it heads south-east and reaches the Adriatic Sea after 25 kilometres of sinuous advance through the outermost reclamation lands of Polesine. The only chance to cross it in its lower course is offered by the Santa Giulia pontoon bridge, a rare witness to the local way of life in the recent past, between the First and Second World Wars, before the introduction of reinforced concrete to build large bridges. Here, on the bridge over the Po della Donzella, the carriageway rests on 22 large boats tied together and firmly anchored to the river bed. A picture-perfect subject, not least because of the oak beams that serve as planting. In the middle, an unexpected accessory: a wooden shrine with a crucifix. Was it just in case of need, to promptly recommend the soul to God? Why it is special After the Second World War, pontoon bridges have been progressively replaced by more modern permanent structures. That was partly because they had been damaged during the war, but even more because they were unsuitable for the increasing road traffic. Today, the "surviving" bridges can be counted on the fingers of one hand, and that of Santa Giulia is in one of the most picturesque locations. Today, the few pontoon bridges still in operation have become monuments in themselves and true tourist attractions. Visitors want to experience the thrill of the noisy passage over their wooden surface. At both ends of the pontoon bridge, signs stand out with size and speed restrictions, as if to certify the role the pontoon bridge can play in the development of slow tourism in the near future. Not to be missed If you are not in a hurry, it is worth having a word with the last representatives of an endangered human species, the pontoniers ("pontieri"), i.e. those who man the bridge to take care not only of its constant maintenance, but also of its safety during, for example, river floods, or in case of shoal waters. During a river flood the boats could be damaged by a floating log or even swept away by the current, as has happened. In this case, the pontoon bridges are designed to be opened in the middle, allowing the two trunks to pivot to reach the position of least resistance to the water. In case of shoal waters, the bridge could sag to the point of making it dangerous to get on the access ramps. A bit of history Until the early 20th century, crossing a large river was no easy thing. More often than not, there were barges shuttling between the two banks. It was, of course, a paid passage, all the more so if it involved not only people but also goods subject to duty, or if the river, as in the case of the Po, marked a state border. That's why, at the busiest transit points, it was advantageous to set up a pontoon bridge. This was a difficult operation, but still more convenient than building a masonry bridge. Following a centuries-old technique, a series of barges were placed side by side, they were tied to each other and then firmly anchored to the river bed, so that a wooden planking could be laid across the hulls as a passageway. Still at the beginning of the 20th century, along the Po, downstream of Pavia, there were about twenty pontoon bridges, others were often built at the mouth of tributaries. Good to know The “boats" used for pontoon bridges are of a very special kind. They have a slender shape, to better face the current, but they are quite different from a boat. The most surprising thing is that they are made of reinforced concrete! Nothing strange, because despite the high specific weight of the material, Archimedes' principle explains how they can float. Rather, it is hard to believe that you can build vessels with such thin sides with the same technique used to build dams and smokestacks! The method, based on using concrete reinforced by wire mesh, was actually developed during the Great War by the Italian Army Corps of Engineers. Fun fact: after the war, many of those barges, by now war relics, were "recycled" for the construction of those barges that can still be found along the river today as fishing huts. Credit to: Francesco Soletti
UNESCO
Delta del Po

Delta del Po

A natural paradise of precious biodiversity It is one of Italy’s most picturesque oases, a precious example of biodiversity that stretches between the Veneto and Emilia-Romagna regions and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. The Po Delta, Europe’s second-largest wetland, is where Italy's longest river, with its various branches, meets the Adriatic Sea. Amid expanses of fresh and brackish water, lush woods, centuries-old pine forests, and one of the richest wildlife and plant populations in the world, the Po Delta is protected by two vast regional parks that cover between them over 60,000 hectares. As well as the Po River, the two regional parks also include the mouths of the Reno, Lamone, Fiumi Uniti, Bevano and Savio rivers and vast wetlands. Further south of the great Delta you can find more than 20,000 hectares of brackish areas overlooking the Adriatic Sea, from the Valleys of Comacchio to the salt pans of Cervia. There are plenty of activities to enjoy and attractions to see in the Po Delta area. The oasis boasts places of rare beauty, such as the Sacca di Scardovari lagoon, the Santa Giulia pontoon bridge and the Regional Land Reclamation Museum in Veneto. In Emilia-Romagna, we highly recommend visiting the Pomposa Abbey and the Mesola Wood. Birdwatching enthusiasts and visitors who enjoy open-air excursions are sure to find this vast area a true paradise that is perfect for unforgettable holidays and weekend getaways.
Ops! An error occurred while sharing your content. Please accept profiling cookies to share the page.