Page 369 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

UMBRIA  367

The 8th-century monastery of San Pietro in Valle, set in the beautiful Valnerina
the church was more likely to underway, but this is a long term emptying into the Tiber. It is
have been built over the site of project. Sant’Agostino on Via edged with craggy, tree-covered
an old Roman temple, since the Anicia features a range of good slopes and dotted with upland
forum of the Roman colony of 16th-century frescoes. A little villages and fortified hamlets.
Nursia once occupied this spot. way beyond, the Oratorio di The high spot is San Pietro
Left of the church stands the Sant’Agosti naccio in Piazza in Valle, an idyllically situated
Palazzo Comunale, a monument Palatina contains a superb monastery in the hills above the
to the town’s period as a free 17th-century ceiling. Via Umberto village of Colleponte. Founded
commune during the 13th and shelters the Edicola (1354), a in the 8th century, it is one of
14th centuries. On the opposite strange tabernacle believed to the few surviving memorials to
side of the square rises the have been carved for a Holy the Lombards, whose central
Castellina (1554), a blunt papal Week procession. Italian duchy had its capital in
fortress designed by Vignola to Spoleto. The main body of the
help impose order on an unruly monastery church dates from
mountain district. The Duomo w Valnerina this period, as does the high
(1560), to the left of the Castellina, Perugia. V Spoleto, then bus. n Via altar. The nave walls are covered
has been ravaged by earthquakes G. da Chiavano 2, Cascia (0743 714 01). in a wealth of 12th-century
over the centuries. Indeed, Norcia frescoes. Some of the best
has been the victim of successive The Valnerina (Valley of the River Romanesque carvings in
earth quakes – the most recent Nera) curves through a broad Umbria can be found here.
being in November 2016, which swathe of eastern Umbria, More popular than the
led to the collapse of the church. draining the mountains around monastery are the Cascate
Its complete reconstruction is Norcia and the Sibillini before delle Marmore near Terni,
among Europe’s highest
waterfalls at 165 m (541 ft).
Created by the Romans during
drainage work, their waters
are now diverted to produce
hydroelectric power except
for a few hours a day. You can
view the falls from Marmore
village or the S209.
R San Pietro in Valle
Località Ferentillo, Terni. Tel 0744 78
01 29. Open daily (Sat & Sun in winter).
} Cascate delle Marmore
7 km (4 miles) along S209 Valnerina,
Terni. Tel 0744 629 82. Open daily.
The remains of the church of San Benedetto in Norcia ∑ marmorefalls.it

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