Leonardo Da Vinci and St. Benedict in Southern Umbria

In Southern Umbria, at about one hour drive/train ride from Rome, there is a magical valley offering a unique blend of nature, history, cultural heritage and traditions.  

Many spectacular sites are scattered along the Nera river, such as the spectacular Marmore Falls and the hamlet of Papigno which have been recently identified as the places depicted by Leonardo da Vinci in his oldest signed drawing, kept at the Uffizi Galleries in Florence and known as "Landscape with a river".

An interesting research by art expertise Dr. Luca Tomio led to the conclusion that the view represented in Da Vinci's drawing, previously believed to be a section of the valley of Arno river in Tuscany, is actually a combination of two different points of view over the valley of Nera river in the surroundings of Terni in Southern Umbria. The research has been approved by illustrios art historians and by Italian Institutions for Art History. The Uffizi Galleries have also accorded to provide a high resolution authorised copy of the drawing to be displaid in the State Archive Department of Terni. 

Travellers visiting this area can admire the breathtaking view of Marmore Falls depicted by Leonardo da Vinci and discover also other enchanting hidden treasures such as the picturesque Piediluco Lake and the magnificent Abbey of San Pietro in Valle in Ferentillo. The chiurch of this complex is decorated with precious frescoes dating back to XII century and contains a rare altarpiece of longobard art with bas-reliefs. The Abbey is currently being studied by Dr. Tomio who discovered interesting element which which could be helpful to redefinr the history of this area and of its cultural heritage. 

The valley is also renowned for its fine olive oil and for the production of legumes and cereals used to prepare simple and tasteful recipes ever since ancient times. Local producers provide guided visits of their mills and farms with tasting of their delicious products, most of which are obtained with ancient, organic techniques.