Where Nature Roars and Cinema Echoes: The Magic of Monte Gelato

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by waterfalls. Maybe it’s because as a child I used to spend hours watching documentaries and adventure movies, dreaming of faraway places, where reality could surpass even the wildest imaginations and everything seemed possible.

But sometimes there’s no need to go that far to experience that sense of wonder. You just need to know where and what to look for. The Monte Gelato Waterfalls are a perfect example of a Surprise Spot you’d never expect to find right in the heart of the Italian peninsula.

Arriving at The Monte Gelato Waterfalls

The Monte Gelato Waterfalls, situated just 41 km (approximately 26 miles) north of Rome, are easily reachable via local roads and the A1 motorway. The journey generally takes no more than an hour by car and with no traffic, you might even make it in about 45 minutes.

As soon as you arrive, you’re enveloped by nature. The waterfalls are nestled within the Valle del Treja Regional Park, far away from any sign of fierce urbanisation. The air is fresh, offering respite from the heat even during the hot summer months, thanks to the shade provided by the many trees. Birds are all the time chirping, with the occasional gust of wind making leaves murmur like old Italian ladies sharing the latest town gossip.

But the most captivating sound of all is that of the water rushing down the Treja river. This is one of the memories that stuck with me the most: a gushing sound getting stronger and stronger as you venture into the woods, until you finally come into direct contact with the crystal-clear waters swirling, foaming and glimmering, as rays of sunlight bounce off the surface. The waterfalls roar like a pride of lions, ceaselessly. Most of all, though, there’s something about that rushing water, some kind of vital energy that can only be felt, not described, which sinks deep into your very being, making you feel alive, genuinely alive.

Cameras Rolling

Given how scenic this place is, it should come as no surprise that the Monte Gelato Waterfalls and their surrounding area have been used countless times by famous directors as filming locations. This is especially true when it comes to spaghetti western movies, filmed during the 1960s and 1970s.

A classic of this cinematic subgenre, They Call Me Trinity (Lo chiamavano Trinità), directed by Enzo Barboni, and starring Terence Hill and Bud Spencer, is one such example. Some scenes from the sequel, Trinity Is Still My Name (Lo chiamavano ancora Trinità), again directed by Barboni, were also shot in the same location.

Other notable spaghetti westerns filmed here include The Dirty Story in the West (Quella sporca storia nel West), directed by Enzo G. Castellari; The Beast (La belva), directed by Mario Costa; and Django, the 1966 movie directed by Sergio Corbucci. These are just a few of the many movies filmed at this site, making it not only a natural wonder to explore. But also a culturally relevant location in the history of cinema.

Other Things to Discover

The Valle del Treja Regional Park, where the Monte Gelato waterfalls are found, has much to offer. Adventurous souls will feel right at home, with a variety of hiking trails, zip lines and archery routes throughout the area. The place is also renowned for its many bike trails crisscrossing the woods.

Not too far from the waterfalls, it’s also possible to admire a historic watermill. Originally built by the Del Drago family in the 19th century, it’s no longer operational and now serves as an information center for visitors. Definitely worth a visit is also the Roman Villa dating back to the 1st century BC located nearby.

Who Should Go?

The place is open to the public and free to visit year-round. Anyone visiting Rome, one of the busiest tourist destinations in the world, can probably benefit from a break from the urban chaos and enjoy some restorative natural beauty.

Aside from being an ideal destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers, it is also a Surprise Spot any cinematic history enthusiast might want to visit, since it played such an prominent role in the spaghetti western movie subgenre. There’s something fascinating about walking through places which up till then you might have only experienced as they appear on screen. Such places create a bridge between reality and imagination, feeding that hunger for adventure that more or less we all harbour within ourselves, ever since we can remember.

After all, isn’t that exactly what a Surprise Spot should do?

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