In the places of the plein-air painters: an enchanting journey in the Nera Valley


Thematic
Art and History
Duration
One day
Level of difficulty
Easy
Budget
Low

In the heart of the Nera Valley, between Terni and Narni, lies an artistic treasure that has fascinated the great masters of past centuries.

Il Ponte di Augusto, Narni

The "plein-air painters," European painters between 1700 and 1800, immortalized the wonders of this region in unforgettable works of art.
Following in the footsteps of these artists who unveiled the beauty of the Terni area to the world, a fascinating project has emerged: "The Rediscovered Places of an Enchanted Valley." This scattered Museum of en-plein air painting offers a unique itinerary along the Nera River, embracing not only the famous Marmore Falls but also charming places like Piediluco, Papigno and Narni. Reproductions of the paintings have been placed at the locations where the painters created their canvases, transporting us back in time.

The itinerary, which runs for about 20 km, retraces the roads that the artists themselves travelled to reach their ideal vantage points. In some cases, visitors are able to compare the paintings to reality and discover that the landscape has remained unchanged over the centuries.

But there's more! Inside the ticket office of the lower Belvedere of the Marmore Falls, you will find an extraordinary multimedia installation. Two scenic environments will take you on an exciting journey, where you can immerse yourself in the lives of the plein-air painters through engaging footage. Thanks to the magic of 6D cinema, you will even be able to fly over the landscapes and dive into the works painted by the artists who embraced the Terni basin in the late 1700s and early 1800s.

THE STAGES OF THE ITINERARY

Marmore Falls
Marmore Falls
The Marmore Waterfall is created by the River Velino dropping down into the Nera River below, with a drop of 165 metres
Piediluco Lake
Piediluco Lake
Located at the southern end of Umbria, on the border with Lazio, nestled between the Luco and Caperno mountains, it is the largest lake in the region after Lake Trasimeno.
Papigno
Papigno
Papigno, a small village on the Valnerina of Terni, still evokes its past as a medieval castle.
Narni
Narni
L’antica Narnia si sviluppa su uno sperone roccioso che si affaccia sulle gole del Nera e sulla conca ternana.