Acquapendente
Edited by:
Massimo Martini
Access
Acquapendente is easily reached by car via the state road Cassia (Rome-Florence) and the provincial road connecting it to Orvieto. The nearest railway station is Orvieto (30 km), on the Florence-Rome line, with connecting bus services. The reference airports are Rome-Fiumicino (140 km) and Perugia (80 km). The local road network makes it easy to reach all the hamlets and points of natural interest.
.Introduction
Acquapendente, nestled in Alta Tuscia on the border with Tuscany and Umbria, is a historical jewel in the province of Viterbo that dominates the Paglia valley from an altitude of 420 metres. Known as the 'Gateway to Tuscia' and a fundamental stop on the Via Francigena, this town of medieval origin owes its name to the numerous springs that still characterise the area. Its historical centre, perfectly preserved with towers, noble palaces and Romanesque churches, recounts a thousand-year history rooted in Etruscan times and enriched with charm thanks to the presence of the miraculous Sacred Blood in the crypt of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.
Description
The municipal territory covers 120 km² amidst the gentle volcanic hills typical of Tuscia, furrowed by the Paglia river and its tributaries that create suggestive ravines and gullies. The landscape alternates between oak and chestnut woods and expanses of olive groves and vineyards, with the Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve protecting 3000 hectares of unspoilt nature to the north of the town. The historic core, developed around the ancient Via Cassia, has a medieval urban layout with paved alleys converging towards the Torre Julia de Jacopo, the town's symbol, while rural hamlets such as Torre Alfina and Trevinano retain the charm of fortified villages.
Acquapendente's origins probably date back to the 9th century, when it was founded as a Longobard outpost along the Via Francigena, but the territory shows traces of Etruscan and Roman settlements. In the Middle Ages, it became a free commune and an important commercial centre, as evidenced by the numerous sacred and civil buildings in the historic centre. Among the illustrious figures is the famous anatomist Girolamo Fabrici d'Acquapendente, a professor in Padua and William Harvey's teacher, while recent history sees the town as a protagonist in the phenomenon of post-unification brigandage with the figure of Domenico Tiburzi.
The local economy is mainly based on quality agriculture (Canino DOP oil, Orvietano DOC wines, pulses and cereals), artistic handicrafts (ceramics, wrought iron and woodworking) and tourism, which is increasingly linked to the Francigena and natural resources. Particularly renowned is the production of the 'Purgatorio bean', a Slow Food presidium grown in the hamlet of Torre Alfina, while the wine sector is experiencing a significant rebirth thanks to young entrepreneurs.
Cultural life revolves around events such as the Festa dei Pugnaloni (third Sunday in May), a spectacular folkloric event with mosaics of flowers and leaves that commemorates the liberation from feudal rule, and the Procession of the Sacred Blood (Good Friday), one of the most evocative in Tuscia. The typical cuisine offers robust dishes such as 'acquacotti' (bread and vegetable soups), 'lombrichelli' (special handmade spaghetti) and 'scottiglia' (mixed-meat stew), while the local craftsmen still boast master potters reproducing ancient Etruscan motifs.
For hikers, Acquapendente is a true paradise: from the Via Francigena that crosses the historic centre to the paths in the Monte Rufeno Reserve, to the evocative Bosco del Sasseto near Torre Alfina, a monumental forest dubbed 'Snow White's forest' for its fairytale-like appearance. The Lake of Monte Rufeno offers birdwatching and relaxation opportunities, while the Mill Trail along the Paglia River leads to the discovery of ancient hydraulic structures. A curiosity: according to tradition, Acquapendente was founded by fugitives from the destroyed city of Farisa, whose treasure is said to be still hidden in some cave in the area.
Information
Area: 131.61 km²
Altitude: 420m
Maximum elevation: 720m - Monte Rufeno
Number of inhabitants: 5,227 as of 31.12.24
Name in dialect: -
Inhabitants' name: Aquesians
Patron Saint: Saint Hermes, celebrated on 28 August
Neighbouring towns: Allerona, Castel Giorgio, Castel Viscardo, Grotte di Castro, Onano, Proceno, San Lorenzo Nuovo, San Casciano dei Bagni, Sorano
Website: www.comune.acquapendente.vt.it
Collections
cover: Di Pippo-b - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4733606