> The Santissima and Molinetto springs <
The Santissima and Molinetto have an average annual temperature of 9.5°C and 11°C respectively. They are both springs due to the permeability threshold imposed by the underlying conglomerates, a “less permeable” geology, beneath the “more permeable” limestones. They both have permanent spring regimes, whilst the Gorgazzo spring is characterised by an irregular regime with high peak flows, which normalise after a few hours, while the Santissima and Molinetto have a continuous flow, limited oscillations in the water level, and longer flood exhaustion times. In 2007 and 2016, a tracing test was carried out by introducing the tracer into two caves located beneath the Cansiglio plateau, ascertaining the origin of the waters from this plateau with response times of about a week in the Santissima and Molinetto springs. No certain response was obtained from the Gorgazzo.
Two quiet springs: Santissima and Molinetto
Santissima and Molinetto are springs fed by an underlying permeability threshold: water flowing through the karstified limestones meets the less permeable conglomerates and rises to the surface.
Unlike the Gorgazzo they have a permanent regime, with continuous flow and small level changes. In 2007 and 2016 a tracer released in two Cansiglio caves reappeared at the Santissima and Molinetto after about a week; no response, however, from the Gorgazzo.
Section redrawn and animated from the panel «The Gorgazzo spring» · Municipality of Polcenigo, project by Divulgando Srl
Videos and documentaries
Video stories and mini documentaries filmed on site.
Images · La Santissima
25 photos · Foto Divulgando Srl · giugno 2026 (riprese subacquee), Photo da drone Divulgando Srl · maggio 2026, Photo Barbara Grillo. Tap a photo to enlarge it.
