In 1817, the English poet George Byron visited the Marmore Falls and called them “horribly beautiful.” These falls, which are both intimidating and awe-inspiring, represent the romantic idea of sublime beauty. Along with Byron, artists like Goethe and Corot highlighted the impressive sight of the River Velino as it flows down toward the River Nera. It is important to note that, even with their stunning beauty, the Marmore Falls are mostly man-made. This change began in 271 BC when the Roman consul Manio Curio Dentato ordered the stagnant waters near Rieti to flow into the river Nera. Since then, the falls have created three large cascades that drop 165 meters, making them the tallest falls in Europe. Visitors can explore the various streams from the falls using well-marked paths of different difficulty levels, offering a “horribly beautiful” experience, just as Lord Byron described.

The Nera River divides the small village of Ferentillo into two parts. The Precetto area, on the left bank of the river, is known for the Museum of the Mummies of Ferentillo. The museum's "macabre" title raises questions about the presence of mummies in southern Umbria. In fact, people in Precetto had a custom of burying their dead in underground chambers of the local church. This practice continued until the early 19th century when a decree during the Napoleonic era required the removal of bodies from the town. During this time, twenty-four bodies were exhumed that, unlike others, had preserved their organic features, such as hair, nails, and clothing. Some even showed signs of stab wounds and other injuries. The preservation of the Ferentillo mummies likely comes from studies suggesting that the unique chemical makeup of the soil in the crypt is rich in microorganisms and that there is good air circulation in the chambers.