Nepi, whose name derives from the Etruscan word Nepa (water), stands on a large tuffaceous spur between two gorges crossed by torrents.
The Cavaterra Waterfall
This town in Tuscia is renowned for its natural effervescent mineral water, the ancient Terme dei Gracchi, and the 1727 Aqueduct by Filippo Barigioni. But the main attraction is the roaring Cavaterra Waterfall (pronounced “Cavatera” by the locals), which, although flowing in the heart of the village, cannot be reached but only admired from afar, at the foot of the Rocca dei Borgia.
The Cascata del Picchio – Facebook Marco Scataglini @ParchiLazio.it
Following the signs for “Cavoni” and the CAI indications for route 178C, we arrive to the impressive fifteen-metre Cascate del Picchio, which plunge into a wild, luxuriant vegetation. They are not easy to reach, but the unexpected, fascinating spectacle is worth all the effort.
Nepi, one of the access points to ancient Etruria, boasts prehistoric origins, but, according to legend, it was founded six centuries before Rome by the brave Termo Larte. Also noteworthy is the imposing Rocca, commissioned in 1450 by the Spanish Borgia Family and then transformed by the Farnese.
The Rocca dei Borgia
Built on the Via Amerina on previous defensive settlements, the imposing Rocca dei Borgia underwent important renovations by Pope Alexander VI in 1479.
Palio dei Borgia – Facebook @paliodeiborgia
Not to be missed is the “Palio dei Borgia”, which takes place between May and June, an exciting journey into the Renaissance Era. The protagonists of the event are the controversial Lucrezia Borgia and the four Districts of San Biagio, La Rocca, Santa Maria and Santa Croce.
The Duomo – www.comune.nepi.vt.it
The unmissable Duomo of Nepi, renovated through the years, recently underwent the reconstruction of its roof after the fire caused by the French troops in 1798. The beautiful pre-existing crypt has however been preserved. Other important attractions are the Churches of San Biagio and San Tolomeo, and the Catacombs of Santa Savinilla.
The Aqueduct – www.comune.nepi.vt.it
A 285 metre Aqueduct from 1500 dominates the territory around the Farnese walls of the village. Giacomo Barozzi, known as Vignola, collaborated in its construction, but it was only in 1702 that the architect Filippo Barigioni made the water flow through a system of large arches.
The Palazzo del Comune – www.comune.nepi.vt.it
The Palazzo Comunale is a magnificent example of Renaissance architecture. Commissioned by Duke Pier Luigi Farnese and designed by architect Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, it was built between 1542 and the late 1700’s.
Adjacent to the Town Hall, the Civic Archaeological Museum, established in 2004, displays is a collection of historical finds from the Agro Falisco. The museum itinerary traces the history of Nepi from prehistory to the Renaissance Era.
Nepi is one of the last stops along the Cimina Variant of the Northern Via Francigena in the area of Viterbo, where the route intersects with Via Amerina. Hikers, trekkers and mountain-bikers will fall in love with Nepi and its surrounding nature, as it already happened in 1800 to William Turner, Camille Corot and Massimo d’Azeglio.
NEPI VT cooked salami and pecorino cheese FB @Proloconepi
Among the gastronomic specialities, we can taste the scapicollata (spiced bacon), local onions, and cooked salami, celebrated together with the Roman Pecorino cheese during a festival in May. Typical bakery products are the Christmas fagottelli and the fave dei morti, almond biscuits to be served on All Saints’ Day accompanied with sambuca liqueur.