The spring in Santissima, a village belonging to the municipality of Polcenigo, together with those in Molinetto and Gorgazzo, are the main sources of the Livenza River. They are perennial and the water coming out of them flows out of the calcareous massif of the Cansiglio Pre-Alps. Numerous little springs emerge from a limited space giving the illusion that they flow together from one opening. Flowing out of such a narrow spot, water turns into rivulets that join together to form a large and quiet river streaming through the plain. This is the Livenza River and it grows wider further downstream thanks to additional water sources.
In the surrounding area of the Livenza Springs there is plenty to see (some small buildings and the small disused power station), to do (nature walks along the boardwalks), and to visit (the Santissima Trinità church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity). You will find it all in a gorgeous location where the cult of spring waters and fertility has ancient roots.
Indeed, it is no coincidence that the area was used for propitiatory rites in the past.
For centuries pilgrims have come to the Livenza Springs, even from very distant places, to pray for health, fertility, sight and life. But people also prayed for the rain: they went to the Livenza Springs to "cior la piova a la Santissima" (dialect for "take the rain from Santissima"). But they always stopped first in front of the tiny Medieval sacellum (small shrine) and bathed their eyes and faces with the crystal-clear water of the spring in front of the shrine. Between the 14th and the 15th centuries a small church dedicated to the Holy Trinity was built next to the shrine. According to tradition, the Holy Trinity appeared to Emperor Theodosius while resting during a military campaign, on the first Sunday of September in 473 AD.
Noteworthy also are the aquatic plants which take root in the riverbed and form a lush, green underwater carpet. Among them we find the Cutleaf Waterparsnip, the Common Mare's Tail and the White Water Crowfoot.
