Acquapendente
Edited by:
Massimo Martini
Access
The municipality is easily accessed via the Cassia state road, which connects Florence and Rome passing through the town centre; from the north it is also possible to arrive via the provincial road that leads directly to Acquapendente from Orvieto. The nearest railway station is Orvieto (30 km), served by regional and national lines, while the main airports are Rome-Fiumicino (140 km) and Perugia (80 km), both connected by road services. The local road network guarantees rapid travel between the main town and its hamlets, also allowing the main points of interest to be reached.
Introduction
Acquapendente, located on the border between Latium, Tuscany and Umbria in the upper Tuscia Viterbese region, is one of the most historically and scenically important centres in central Italy. It lies among gentle volcanic hills at an altitude of 420 metres along the historic Via Francigena, which has always marked its character as a crossroads of cultures, merchants and pilgrims. Its historical centre, dominated by the elegant profiles of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre and the medieval towers, preserves the charm of a millenary past in which Etruscan, Roman and Longobard events are intertwined. The presence of abundant springs, which feed the Paglia river, explains the name of the municipality and has made the area fertile and strategic. Today, Acquapendente stands out both for its cultural heritage and for its hiking and naturalistic offerings, being located on the edge of the Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve.
Description
The territory, extending over more than 130 km², is characterised by an alternation of gorges, gullies, oak and chestnut woods, vineyards and olive groves; significant is the role of the vast Monte Rufeno Reserve, with more than 3,000 protected hectares, criss-crossed by scenic trails and rich in biodiversity. The water, flowing in numerous springs and streams (including Rio Tirolle and Paglia), has modelled a varied landscape over the centuries, punctuated by rural hamlets such as Torre Alfina with the famous Bosco del Sasseto, so evocative that it has been nicknamed 'Snow White's forest'. In historical terms, evidence of settlements dates back to Etruscan times, but the village consolidated in the early Middle Ages, first as a Lombard garrison and then becoming a free municipality in the 11th century; important was the passage under Countess Matilda of Canossa, who donated it to the Church. Events such as the Miracle of the Madonna del Fiore (1166), which is still celebrated today with the famous 'Pugnaloni' (mosaics of flowers and leaves), have deeply marked local identity and tradition. Famous personalities include Girolamo Fabrici d'Acquapendente, a distinguished 16th-century anatomist and William Harvey's teacher.
The local economy maintains a strong rootedness in quality agriculture, with crops of cereals, olive trees, vineyards and chestnut groves, enhanced by typical products such as Canino DOP oil, Orvietano DOC wines and the 'Purgatorio bean', a Slow Food presidium in the hamlet of Torre Alfina. Alongside handicraft traditions (ceramics, wrought iron, wood), tourism linked to environmental attractions and the Francigena pilgrimage route is gaining ground. The local cuisine is typical, with simple, robust dishes such as acquacotti, lombrichelli and scottiglia; the calendar of popular festivals is lively, from the evocative Good Friday procession to the Pugnaloni Festival, between folklore and history.
For those who love nature and trekking, Acquapendente is a privileged destination: in addition to the many paths in the Monte Rufeno Reserve and the Bosco del Sasseto, the Percorso dei Mulini (Mills Route) along the Paglia River and the excursions to Lake San Casciano and Lake Bolsena, not far away, are of particular interest. There is no shortage of curiosities and legends, such as the one that hypothesises the presence of treasures hidden by fugitives from the mythical destroyed city of Farisa. The village of Torre Alfina, listed among 'The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy', guards the monumental castle and offers an impressive environmental and cultural experience.
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