The famous, ancient Roman poet Virgil wrote about sacred springs called Le Fonti del Clitunno (Springs of Clitunno). These fresh-water springs are still there and spill out to form the Clitunno River in Umbria.
The springs flow from the foothills of Monte Sorano and form an idyllic, crystal-clear pond near Campello sul Clitunno. The river continues to flow to Bevagna, where it merges with the Teverone and becomes the Timia River.
The pond at Clitunno was once a much larger lake and its waterways used to be navigable by boat, but an earthquake in A.D. 446 have changed the river's course and diminished its flow.
Virgil wrote that the Roman Emperor Caligula came to “Clitumnus” on his barge to consult the oracles. In those days, villas, spas and temples adorned the crystal-clear lake. The Roman leader believed that the river god Clitunno resided in the deep waters of the spring.
Consult the oracle yourself, or simply relax with a picnic under a poplar tree. The parklands are also home to a restaurant where you can get authentic Italian meals. Walk around the parklands and enjoy watching local families drop by for a little downtime in the shade during the heat of the day.
To see some lasting remains of the ancient history of the Campello sul Clitunno municipality, walk to the nearby Tempietto del Clitunno, also located along the Via Flaminia in Campello sul Clitunno. The small temple complex has been declared a UNESCO site, houses ancient Umbrian frescoes and is said to have been dedicated to Clitunno, the god of the rivers. Two other temples dedicated to him have crumbled and been lost with time.
A visit to the Springs of Clitunno is free of charge and the surrounding parklands are accessible all day, year round. The “comune” of Campello sul Clitunno sits about halfway between Spoleto and Trevi, and Campello Basso has accommodation options and restaurants. Campello sul Clitunno is also home to the Castello di Campello Alto, an ancient castle complex on a mountain.
