The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Monumento Naturale Pian Sant'Angelo

Walking along via S. Egidio, you will find the beginning of this short but very suggestive path inside a "via cava" (roads dug through the tuff that connected the bottom of the valley with the territories above and, in other areas, were also used to drain excess water from agricultural land). This via cava is full of caves dug directly into the tuff, probably used as stables or cellars to store wine or food.

The waterfall was built to feed a canal, probably built by the populations that lived in this area even before the arrival of the Romans (at least the 5th century BC) and later, in the 1940s, the same canal fed a hydroelectric plant, now decommissioned. Currently, the canal is passable on foot (or by mountain bike) and connects the waterfall to the gorge below the town of Corchiano. The entire route, without difficulties, lasts about thirty minutes.

Corchiano is a small town in the province of Viterbo, apparently similar to many others, a little modest... and yet, it has become famous for some events, such as the infiorata, which is held at the end of May and sees the entire town involved in decorating a good part of the streets of the town with flower petals, colored sawdust, coffee grounds and in general any material that can be colored and applied in designs of great beauty. Then, in December, the living nativity scene takes place in a natural setting of great suggestion, finally, the exploration on foot of the ravines should not be overlooked, a true natural monument and archaeological site of great interest... in short, a place that is worth visiting. The difficulty in walking the paths, all equipped, is generally T (tourist) and suitable for all age levels.

The waterfall is located in an area known as “Orto del Sambuco”, along the course of the Rio Fratta. This place is characterized by a small grassy plain where the Rio Fratta creates a suggestive waterfall. In the immediate vicinity there is also an ancient Roman humpback bridge, adding a historical element to the natural landscape

The Church of the Madonna del Soccorso dates back to the 15th century, it is a work of great architectural value, so much so that it was declared a national monument at the beginning of the 20th century (1902). It is said that the project was carried out by Giuliano da Sangallo, a famous architect of the Renaissance period. The church has an imposing façade, characterized by a large staircase and decorated with columns and pillars in peperino, the typical volcanic stone of the area. The central portal is particularly elaborate and above it there is a beautiful rose window. One of the most interesting elements is the mosaic of the Madonna del Soccorso, which replaced an ancient painting unfortunately stolen in the 1930s. The walls of the church are decorated with frescoes by the Torresani brothers, which tell the story of the foundation of the church and religious scenes. Particularly notable is the Cappella del Paradiso, with its frescoes attributed to the Zuccari or Torresani. The Church of the Madonna del Soccorso is not only a place of worship, but also an important historical and artistic testimony. Its similarity to the more famous Basilica della Madonna della Quercia in Viterbo increases its interest for architecture enthusiasts. Furthermore, under the church there is an ossuary where the Augustinian fathers were buried, adding an element of mystery and history to the already fascinating structure.

Corchiano is an ancient Faliscan city, a people who shared the dominion of Tuscia with the Etruscans. The village retains its medieval layout, with winding alleys and suggestive squares.

The Forre di Corchiano (vie cave) are works declared a natural monument. They are located in the town of Corchiano (which stands on a tufaceous cliff), the vie cave are a work created by man. It is a vertical cut to create a road that softens the sometimes harsh slopes of nature.

turn right onto the path that leads to via cava