Cascate del Menotre

Why it matters

The Menotre river flows through a gorge between Pale and Belfiore, linking natural features with the area's paper-making history. Its water powered mills around Pale from the thirteenth century. The river's action also formed the gorge, caves and waterfalls.

What to notice

The Velo della Sposa waterfall takes its name from the veil-like appearance of water flowing over the rock lip. Further cascades follow where the river narrows between water-smoothed rocks. The nearby Grotte dell'Abbadessa and the rock-hewn church of Santa Maria Giacobbe are part of the same limestone landscape.

Context and history

The Menotre cut its gorge through limestone between the Apennine plateau and the Foligno plain. Mills along the stream harnessed its energy, including the paper mills at Pale. The waterfall district forms part of the wider historical landscape of the castle of Pale and the hermitage on the Sasso di Pale.