What is Arrone known for?

165-meter three-tier waterfall five kilometers downstream, cut by the Romans in 271 BC, the largest man-made falls in the world. Ninth- or tenth-century noble castle on the upper hill, with walls, towers and stone alleys preserved to the original layout. Base for kayaking, rafting and the Cammino di San Francesco on the lower Nera, between Marmore and Ferentillo.

Arrone is a comune in the province of Terni, Umbria region of Italy, about 18 kilometers from Terni.

Umbria · Terni

Arrone

Medieval castle village on the left bank of the Nera, upstream from the largest man-made waterfall in the world.

18 km / 11 mi

Nearest hub (Terni)

2,555

Population

Apr–Oct

Best time to visit

Recognised as

Why come

Arrone sitson the left bank of the Nera in the lower Valnerina, the upper part of the village a 9th- or 10th-century noble castle with its walls and alleys still in their medieval layout. The town grew up around the fortified hill and spread along the river as the danger faded. The Cascata delle Marmore, the largest man-made waterfall in the worldacross three tiers, is five kilometers downstream; the Romans cut the original channel in 271 BC to drain the marshes around Rieti, and successive interventions through the 16th century gave the falls their present form. The Cammino di San Francesco passes through, and the village is the base for kayaking and rafting on the lower Nera. The Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista in the upper castle holds 15th-century frescoes of the Umbrian school, and the collegiate Chiesa di Santa Maria in the lower village was rebuilt in the 16th century on Romanesque foundations.

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Gallery

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Known for

Castello di Arrone
Upper part of the village, the 9th-10th century castle, walls and steep medieval alleys preserved to the original layout.
Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista
Fourteenth-century church inside the upper castle, with 15th-century frescoes of the Umbrian school, including a Madonna and saints.
Chiesa Collegiata di Santa Maria
Sixteenth-century collegiate church in the lower village, rebuilt on Romanesque foundations, with frescoes by Vincenzo Tamagni.
Cascata delle Marmore
Largest man-made waterfall in the world, 165 meters across three tiers, cut by the Romans in 271 BC, five kilometers downstream from Arrone.
Casteldilago
Frazione of Arrone, a medieval hilltop hamlet preserved almost intact, with its own walls and parish church above the Nera.

When to visit

Best months · Apr–Oct

Best
Hot or crowded
Quiet
Mostly closed

April through June and September into October are the months for Arrone. The Nera runs full from snowmelt and spring rain, the rafting season opens, and the Cascata delle Marmore releases on a fixed schedule that suits the morning light. July and August touch the mid-thirties in the lower Valnerina; the falls cool the air around the basin, and the Cammino di San Francesco walkers pass through early. November is olive harvest along the slopes above the river. December through March is quiet, with the rafting closed and the falls released only on weekend afternoons, but the upper castle and the medieval frazioni hold their stones year-round.