A small lake of crystal clear water immersed in a fascinating park where the colours, the light and the reflections create an extraordinary and enchanting display. An abundance and variety of fauna and flora make this place very interesting from a naturalistic point of view, but its value is also historical and cultural. It is therefore no coincidence that it is a very beloved and popular tourist site: it is the ideal place to spend a pleasant day outdoors, walking, exercising, reading a book, observing and maybe taking a few pictures of the natural wonders of this great and marvellous garden in the heart of Umbria.
The Clitunno springs
The Clitunno springs are the source of the Clitunno River. They are generated from cracks in the rock, sometimes visible on the bottom of the man-made lake. The perimeter is little longer than 400 metres and covers an area of almost ten thousand square metres. The surrounding greenery is composed mainly of willows, poplars and moss whereas the most likely animal species you will encounter are swans and water birds.
The water of the Clitunno Springs is renowned for being incredibly clear with emerald reflections and is populated with rich and unique vegetation: in addition to moss there are also phanerogams, mare’s tail, star fruit, curled pondweed, water starwort, water forget-me-nots, watercress.
Therefore this small lake offers truly unique experiences that inspired poets such as Propertius, Pliny, Virgil, Byron and Carducci.
The Temple of Clitumnus
A visit to the Clitunno Sources can be combined with a visit to the Temple of Clitumnus which is just a short distance from the park, still within the municipality of Campello sul Clitunno. Also known as the ‘Tempietto del Clitunno’, it is part of the serial site “I Longobardi in Italia – I luoghi del potere (The Longobards in Italy – Places of power)” it is a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is particularly interesting for the view and position that it occupies. Pliny the younger described it as “at the foot of a little hill, well wooded with old cypress trees, a spring gushes out”. The shape is that of a classic temple, standing on a high podium with the facade characterised by the presence of four splendid Corinthian columns that hold up the architrave with the inscription that dedicates the church to “the God of angels”. Inside it is decorated with frescoes and relief sculptures.
For more information and to visit the two sites www.ecomuseocampello.it.
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