Natural Wonders

Trees and stones will teach you that which you can never learn from masters.

                                                                                                                - St. Francis

This is the region where the humble friar St. Francis communed with nature, spoke with animals and lived a life of voluntary simplicity. One look at Umbria and you can easily see how Francis was inspired to embrace a life immersed in nature. It is a rare treasure to walk on trails that have shared footsteps with the likes of St. Francis, Shelly and Raphael.

The lush green color of Umbria can be attributed to its vast resource of underground springs known as “Terme”. There are at least six natural hot springs near the Italy Art Workshops where participants can spend hours relaxing in the healing waters that were once luxurious spas for the ancient Roman elite.

By far the most significant site for in the area for nature lovers is the aqua-stupendous Marmore Waterfall. Europe’s highest waterfall is immersed in a natural scenery of incomparable beauty, this massive veil of water is attributed to a 3rd century BCE civil engineering project by the Roman consul Curius Dentatus who ordered a grand canal dug, releasing the still waters of the Velino river 165 meters, (6,500 ft.) over the Marmore cliff, into the Nera river below. The majestic beauty of this site must be experienced to be fully appreciated.