Isola del Liri – A town with two waterfalls
Isola del Liri is an inland island in Lazio about 100 km south of Rome. And the only Italian town with two waterfalls within the old city limits.
We would never have discovered Isola del Liri without local guidance. Our original plan was to go direct from Frosinone to Cassino, but on the way out of the hotel I asked the friendly concierge, if there were any particular sights he would recommend, and he mentioned Isola del Liri and the lake Posta Fibreno.
The name in itself seemed intriguing. I have always had a weakness for waterfalls. And it was virtually on the way or only a short detour from the way to Cassino, so of course we had to check it out. And the town turned out to be exactly as charming and poetically beautiful as the name.
An inland island
One of the two waterfalls in Isola del Liri
Isola del Liri is in fact an island situated 70 km inland from the sea.
The town is totally surrounded by water from the river Liri which forks out northeast of the city only to merge again a few kilometers further south.
The island has been known from pre-Roman times. It has been mentioned by Pliny the Elder and Dante. Some claim Cicero, the writer who has tortured every student of Latin, had his villa right outside town. And for many years it was the centre of the mid-Italian paper industry.
Resurrection
Sadly, the town and the area suffered severe destruction during WWII, but Isola del Liri has recovered. In 2008 it was classified as ‘area di elevato benessere, istruzione superiore e sistema locale organizzato’, which is a mark of distinction for Italian municipalities indicating that the 12 000 people living on the island are doing well in terms of education, economy and infrastructure.
So you do not have to sit at a café enjoying the view of Cascata Grande with a vertical fall of 27 metres to find Isola del Liri attractive. But it definitely helps. And after a short walk along the main street through the historical centre to the other smaller Cascata del Valcatoio waterfall I was whirled along and wanted to stay in Isola del Liri for as long as possible.
I love waterfalls, too. This island sounds beautiful and unexpected. How would you get there with public transport? Train from Rome?
You can take the train to Monte Cassino or Frosinone and move on by bus, and I’m sure you’d have plenty of time to enjoy the trip:)
Beautiful photo! This town looks like a wonderful place to visit and stay. I am fascinated with waterfalls too and try to visit as many as we can. It’s great to hear that it has recovered. I’d stay as long as possible here too.
What a treat to find something like this. It’s the first I’ve ever heard of the place and one to remember for future trips.
I have a weakness for waterfalls and this one looks so refreshing. It’s also interesting that the town is surrounded by the river – that must make it very beautiful and restful. I wouldn’t want to leave either. Great find, Mette!
Wow, it’s stunning. I’d never even heard of it before. You don’t often see a waterfall in the centre of a built-up area.
Love hearing about these smaller places that are lesser well known and that it’s so close to Rome. The waterfalls look lovely.
It is a lovely place, just waiting to be enjoyed.
What a beautiful little town. Waterfalls… get you everytime
Right – they have a strange magnetism.
A town with 2 waterfalls is quite rare. What a beautiful photo you did.
Yes – nature appears ever so photogenic:)
isola del liri have 3 waterfalls
Oh wow, this is really close to where we stayed, near Cassino. We’re hoping to go back again maybe next year so we’ll drag our friends along to here for a day out. I’m sure they don’t know about it. :)
Julia
Good idea to turn Isola del Liri and the near-by abbey into a special outing. We almost missed Monte Cassino because we made far too many stops along the way.
I have loved that waterfall ever since I ‘ve seen it as a small child. My Mum was born there, and moved to the UK, and now we have a family house there just a couple of miles away, every time I see it, it is beautiful. Remember the ancient town of Arpino only a few miles away, built approx 1600 beautiful too.
The mountains behind Isola del Liri, Sora and Arpino, breath taking!! Going back soon to my second home……
What an absolutely charming place to have a second home. I agree about the mountains and Sora and Arpino are on my to-do list too.
My family is from here, I cannot wait to visit..
Understandably.
I am going to make sure people visiting my site know about this town as it looks like a great place to visit
Thanks.
My paternal grandparents were born there. I remember going over as a teen and I recall the peaceful beauty of the region. I hope to go back soon and revisit those memories. The simple beauty and fresh lifestyle is what I remember about it and my Italian family being so gracious and hospitable..we never saw the waterfall so that would be an extra beautiful visit..
You really should go back sometime. It’s a beautiful area and so peaceful in spite of the close proximity to Rome and Naples.