Cascate del Serio

The Serio Falls ( _it. Cascate del Serio) are the tallest waterfall in Italy, and one of the major ones in Europe. They are located approximately 100 km from Milan, near the village of Valbondione, in the upper Valle Seriana, Province of Bergamo, Lombardy, Northern Italy.

The falls are composed of three main steps, respectively 166, 74 and 75 metres tall; taken together the falls have a drop of 315 m (more than 1000 ft).

The falls are formed by the Serio river, at a short distance from its source in the Bergamo Alps.

History

The waterfalls were closed in 1931 when the Barbellino Dam was constructed, forming the reservoir known as the Lago di Barbellino; they were only re-opened in 1969.Since 1969 they have normally been opened four or five days annually, thanks to an agreement between the commune of Valbondione and ENEL, the National Electric Energy Corporation. Between 1975 and 1977 the falls were permanently open due to dam restoration works.

Legend

A legend narrates that a lady in the village loved a shepherd, and she was jealous about his fiancee, so she captured her and closed her in a castle. The poor girl began to cry, and the flood of tears was transformed into the torrents that create the falls.

Opening days 2008

Opening days for 2008 are:
* 15th June: 11.00 am to 11.30 am
* 19th July: 9.30 pm to 10.00 pm
* 24th August: 11.00 am to 11.30 am
* 21st September: 11.00 am to 11.30 am

External links

* [http://www.vivisulserio.it Valle Seriana portal] , with the opening dates of the falls]