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The natural water sources in Umbria
Lakes, rivers and waterfalls

The natural water sources in Umbria

Natural water sources and springs in Umbria: a land giving life through its precious waters.

Fourteen sources of thermal waters, seventeen sources of mineral waters, seven rivers, six lakes, nine waterfalls, rapids and gorges. These are the numbers in Umbria, a region rich of natural sources that contributed to nourish its green and uncontaminated nature. Beyond the possibility of tasting the excellent mineral waters with different properties, the abundance of natural water will give you the possibility of taking on water sports such as rafting, paddle-boardng, kitesurfing and windsurfing in the places dedicated to these activities.

You must be aware that the waters of some Umbrian sources are bottled, other ones boast thermal features encompassing healthy properties, whilst some natural sources are linked to some legends.


Bottled waters

Most of mineral water springs low in mineral content are located in the carbonic aquifers of the Dorsal Apennine, in the districts of nbspScheggia-Pascelupo, Gualdo Tadino, Nocera Umbra, Foligno, Sellano, Cerreto di Spoleto and Gubbio.

Next to the carbonic massifs of the Martani Mountains, beyond the other soft water sources such as the Amerino, Fabia and Aura Source, we find the sparkling natural as well as the medium-mineral waters in the districts of Massa Martana (San Faustino), San Gemini (Sangemini) and Acquasparta (Grazia, sources of Acquasparta).

The round of Umbria's low-mineral water is completed by the Tione Source located in the volcanic complexes of the Orvieto district.


Thermal waters

Umbria can also boast a heritage of waters recognized usable for thermal purposes. The waters Sangemini, Fabia, Amerino, Sanfaustino and Angelica, beyond being bottled, are also used for hydroponic cures in seasonal thermal buildings open in the summer period. The thermal baths of Fontecchio in Città di Castello and the thermal baths of Terme S. Felice (better known with the name of Franciscan thermal baths) in Spello represent instead two places where it's possible to carry out inhalation therapies, muds and baths. The balneotherapy is also recognized for the water Fontessera of Umbertide, used at the Villa Valentina in Umbertide.

The Ancient Baths of Triponzo, in Cerreto di Spoleto, are now open again after more than 30 years. This is the unique thermal establishment in Umbria supplied with sulphurous water rich of calcium that, regardless of the season, maintains a constant temperature of 30 degrees centigrade, with considerable features and therapeutic qualities.

18 sources of sulphurous thermal water, emerald green in colour, flow out out of the green Umbrian woods.

Other sources of mineral water with thermal purposes, not currently used, are:


Natural sources and legends

Bevagna, Aiso source: the spring is over 15 meters deep, but with a surface of just 500 square meters. A legend, known since the 17th century, links the lake to the disappearance of the ungrateful farmer Chiarò who was punished for having worked in the fields on the Saint Anna festival day and had been sunk with all his house.

Sellano, Forfi: a cavern exists where water, dripping from the walls, creates small natural pools to which are attributed regenerative powers.

On Subasio mountain there are about 88 springs, amongst which the one called the Prison Moat seems to be an indicator of the arrival of some misfortune. The source has indeed an intermittent character, flowing every twenty/thirty years; each time it starts again, negative facts or calamities occur. Simple coincidences?

Clitunno Springs: Pliny the Younger wrote of these springs, saying: "Have you ever seen the Clitunno springs? If not yet, and I don't think so, otherwise you would have told me, go and see them. I have seen them recently and I regret I did it too late". They said that Clitunno waters conferred a further brightness to the white coat of the oxen that used to drink and immerse themselves here.