Acquapendente

Acquapendente is a charming town is the province of Viterbo, located in the splendid and fascinating territory of Alta Tuscia Laziale. Seen as one of the most important cultural and artistic locations in the territory, the city is found on the boarder of Tuscany and Umbria, in the enchanting environment of the valley, Valle del Paglia.

Immersed amongst the sweet hills and vast fields of fruit trees, vineyards and olive trees, Acquapendente is only a few kilometres from the wonderful Bolsena Lake, boasting a beautiful environment and a completely unique landscape.

The town is famous for the impressive beauty of its architecture, its churches, its historic palazzi and its extremely important monuments, which line the streets of its historical centre, giving the city an enchanting and fascinating aspect.

Acquapendente is also famous for the production of stunning ceramic objects, an art form which boasts extremely ancient roots.

Not to miss:

Basilica of St. Sepolcro: built between 890 and 968, it is the oldest building in Acquapendente and was constructed for the Countess of Westfalia. The outside church is clearly built in the Romanesque style and yet is custodian to some interesting examples of Gothic art.

Church of St. Agostino: dating back to 1290, it was completely rebuilt following a fire in the second half of the 18th century. Today, however, the structure still maintains some interesting elements of medieval art.

Church of St. Vittoria: probably one of the most important religious structures in the city, it is a prior church and is home to some magnificent works of art and frescoes.

Church of St. Giovanni: a wonderful building dating back to the Middle Ages.

Monastery of St. Chiara: built outside the centre of Acquapendente in an ancient era, it is truly a treat for visitors with some wonderful architecture and secular frescoes.

Church of St. Francesco: dating back to the first half of the 12th century, this fascinating Gothic building, rebuilt in the Renaissance, is rich in Baroque style art. Inside you can find a wonderful 13th century crucifix and a statue depicting the Madonna, as well as a great number of precious frescoes.

Cripta di San Sepolcro (Crypt of St. Sepolcro): an ancient construction built in the 10th century and designed in a classic Romanesque style.

Church of St. Caterina and Antonio Abate: built in the 19th century.

Fonte del Rigombo (Fountain of Rigombo): a monument which symbolizes the extraordinary availability of water in Acquapendente during the Middle Ages.

Torre del Barbarossa (Tower of Babarossa): the oldest monument in the city, which thanks to its extraordinary age was in fact considered as an integral part of the mythical Castello di Federico I Barbarossa (Castle of Federico I Barbarossa).

Palazzo Communale: a wonderful and impressive public building with a clear neo-classic
style.

Palazzo Vescovile: a fascinating construction immersed in the older part of the city and which was built in the 1600’s for Pontiff Innocent X.

Many small buildings, including the Palazzi Viscontini, Beci- Caterini and Piccioni.

Civic Archaeological Museum: an interesting display of ruins, objects and instruments stemming from the Roman and Etruscan ages. Situated in the Palazzo Vescovile.

Museum of the Fiore: located in the Natural Park of Monte Rufeno, this museum is a display of botanic and plant species native to Lazio and Tuscia. The exhibition is made up of multimedia and visual displays, which offer visitors the chance to appreciate and get to know the beauty of this area’s natural environment.

History:

The origins of this village are not completely clear but many believe they date back to the time of the Etruscans and the Romans.

In fact under the Roman Empire, Acquapendente is said to have assumed great importance and prestige.

For undeniable proof of the existence of this city we have to, however, look to the Middle Ages, when it was part of the Republic of Siena.

In the following centuries the town then became an important possession of the Countess Matilde di Canossa and the Stato della Chiesa (State of the Church), who managed to maintain control of Acquapendente from the 12th century up until the 19th century, when it finally became part of the new Kingdom of Italy.