World Water Day. Let’s find out which are the most famous Italian mineral waters!
Celebrating World Water Day 2024! Let’s find out together which are the most famous Italian mineral waters and also what happens in Rome, the city of fountains, on this special day.
World Water Day
In 1992 the United Nations established this. Obviously, the main objective is to raise awareness, among each of us, regarding the waste of water resources. It is also important to adopt behaviors aimed at fighting climate change. In fact, approximately one billion people in the world do not have access to drinking water. Among the main goals of World Water Day is precisely that of providing, by 2030, water and sanitation for all. The United Nations this year choose the theme of Exploiting water for peace. So, the key thing is to learn to cooperate by trying to pave the way for a more harmonious society. In Italy tap water is one of the best in the world, but we also have top quality mineral waters. Let’s find out which are the most famous Italian mineral waters.
It’s very important to respect the great value of water and never waste it.
Mineral waters in Italy
The Italian number of mineral water sources is the highest in Europe. Furthermore, the numerous Italian sources are among the most varied in terms of quality and diversity. Today there are around 300 brands of mineral water in Italian supermarkets. But a clarification is necessary. Mineral waters are what are also called still waters, or natural effervescent waters. This is because they contain carbon dioxide naturally, right from the source. Instead, sparkling waters are bottled by artificially inserting it. Remember also that the choice of a perfect water is essential for the perfect coffee. Let’s see together which are the most famous Italian mineral waters!
The still waters
Acqua Panna – its sources are located on the Tuscan hills, at 900 meters above sea level. During the Renaissance this territory was part of the hunting reserve of the Medici family.
Lauretana – one of the lightest waters, coming from the alpine glaciers of Monte Rosa.
San Benedetto – was born in 1956, in the heart of the river Sile natural park, in the province of Venice. The source has been known since the times of the Venetian Republic as the Ancient source of health.
Sant’Anna – flows at 2000 meters in the valleys of the Maritime Alps. One of the poorest in sodium in the world.
Plose – the Plose source is located at a very high altitude, 1870 meters. One of its peculiarities is that it has a Ph identical to that of the intracellular water contained in our body.
Levissima – with over 80 years of history. Its source is located in the heart of the Central Alps.
We should always prefer glass bottles instead of plastic ones.
The natural effervescent waters
Ferrarelle – born from the slopes of an extinct volcano in the province of Caserta, in Campania region. This water explodes on the surface via a geyser.
Acqua di Nepi – 100% natural effervescent water and is bottled as it flows from the source. This too is of volcanic origin.
Lete – the source is located in the Campania region and has been known since the nineteenth century.
San Pellegrino – one of the oldest, flows from sources found on the slopes of the Alps. Today it is an iconic international brand.
Uliveto – flows inside the Uliveto natural park, near Pisa. Already in the nineteenth century it was known for its healthy properties and beneficial effects.
Egeria – the Roman water par excellence. The name derives from the Roman cult of the nymph Egeria, from her presumed healing qualities. The source is located in the heart of the Roman countryside.
Sparkling waters
As for sparkling waters, the brands we find in the supermarket are often the same as still mineral waters. In fact, as already mentioned, they add the desired quantity of carbon dioxide just at the time of bottling. That’s why most of the famous brands of mineral waters have their sparkling version too. In Italian we say acqua frizzante, where frizzante stands for sparkling. Among the best sparkling waters we can find: San Pellegrino frizzante, Boario frizzante, Brio Blu Rocchetta and San Benedetto frizzante. A gentle reminder! If you are in an Italian restaurant and you ask for sparkling water, most of the time they’ll serve you a natural effervescent one, which we call leggermente frizzante, slightly sparkling.
What happens in Rome on the World Water day
The city of Rome, a city where fountains dominate, celebrates this day in its own way. On the occasion of this important anniversary the city arranged various events. You can discover and deepen your knowledge of Rome’s cultural heritage linked to the theme of water. One of the itineraries tells the ancient legends about the water nymphs starting from the slopes of the Celio, one of the seven hills of Rome. At the Trevi Fountain, just for this occasion, you will be able to access the technical rooms and have a different view of the fountain. Then, from Piazza della Minerva you can take part in an itinerary dedicated to the discovery, in the various districts, of the plaques reporting the water level caused by the past floodings of the Tiber river. Finally, a walk between Piazza Navona and Piazza Farnese, places of popular games and entertainment during the Middle Ages, among fountains and fontanelle.
One of the most famous Roman waters, called Acqua Vergine.
Roman Nasoni
The Nasoni are the traditional Roman small fountains. This year they will blow out 150 candles! Yes, because the first Nasone was installed in 1874. Built in cast iron, with the characteristic cylindrical shape and the curved nozzle, in profile they resemble a big nose. That’s why the name Nasone, that means big nose. The aim of the Nasoni was to distribute water throughout the streets of Rome in a widespread manner, for public and free use. For this special birthday, the city of Rome wanted to inaugurate three new Nasoni along the Via Sacra, in the stretch that leads to the Colosseum. Throughout the entire territory of Rome there are a total of 2800 Nasoni. Obviously the fact that the water flows freely raises concerns about waste. However, the fountains also serve to purify the city’s sewers and significantly reduce the consumption of plastic bottles.
The traditional roman small fountain, called Nasone.
Tap water in Rome is safe and delicious! Come with us, during one of our tours, and see for yourself whether or not it is one of the best waters you have ever tasted!
