Furlo Gorge

The Candigliano cuts a narrow gorge through limestone here, and the Via Flaminia had to pass it; a small tunnel was cut in Republican times and Vespasian had a larger one driven in AD 76, thirty-eight metres long and wide enough for carts, with an inscription recording the work. Both tunnels survive and the Roman one carried traffic until the twentieth century, which makes it one of the longest-used road tunnels anywhere. The name Furlo comes from foro, meaning the hole. Golden eagles nest on the cliffs and are watched from the road. A reservoir now fills part of the gorge floor.

History

The river Candigliano cut the gorge between the mountains of Pietralata, 889 m, and Paganuccio, 976 m, and ran through it in full spate until it was dammed in 1922. The emperor Vespasian had a tunnel cut at the narrowest point to ease the Via Flaminia, which gave the place its name, from the Latin forulum, "small hole" (Wikipedia, Furlo Pass).

What's there

• The Roman tunnel - a 38-metre bore cut in AD 76, still walkable.
• The older cut - a smaller Republican tunnel beside it.
• The eagle cliffs - golden eagles nesting on the gorge walls.
• The Flaminia line - the ancient road still traceable through the pass.

When to go

April to October; the gorge road is narrow and busy on summer weekends. Spring is best for the birds. Winter can bring ice on the shaded road.

Good to know

The gorge is short and mostly experienced from the road, with limited parking. Eagle sightings are not guaranteed. There are few facilities on site.

Nearby

Urbino lies north; Fossombrone is east.

Key facts