About Acquasparta
Acquasparta is a town and commune in the province of Terni, Umbria, in central Italy. It is located on a hill (320m above sea level) above the Naia Valley and the river of the same name, facing the Monti Martani mountain range. It also sits between two springs, the Amerino and the Furipane.
The name's origin is traditionally connected to the Roman toponym of Aquas Partas ("divided waters" or "between the waters"), about which, however, no documentation exists. More probably, the name stems from the presence of several different water sources in the area. During the ancient Roman domination the area was a retreat - a spa whose mineralized hot water baths were easily accessible from Rome along the west branch of the via Flaminia.
Acquasparta, a small town of population approx. 5000 is situated very close to the better known towns of Todi, Perugia, Assisi, Spoleto and Terni, to name but a few. It is a vibrant, alive town with a good range of restaurants, bars and shops and also a good mix of age groups and families.
When you drive into Acquasparta you will arrive at the "centro storica", the medieval town center. The main piazza is Piazza Federico Cesi, which has just (August 2006) been fully restored. Inside the old part of town, the principal building of note is the Renaissance style Palazzo Cesi, started in 1564 and completed in 1579 by the architect Giovanni Domenico Bianchi. The Palazzo is owned by the University of Perugia and is in improving condition.
Acquasparta is home to a number of churches, including the San Francesco, built in 1290, essentially Romanesque but with a Gothic architecture facade, and the Church of the Madonna of the Cross, dating to 1606. The Church of the Sacred Sacrament, incorporating a Roman Mosaic in its floor, is a very good example of 17th century church architecture.
Santa Cecilia (pictured) was built in the 1500s and contains an elegant chapel in which lies the tomb of Frederico Cesi. Santa Cecilia is the patron saint of Acquasparta. First knowledge of Acquasparta goes back to the end of the 8th century AD (circa 990), when it entered the Arnolfe lands with Cesi and Sangemini under jurisdiction of the Farla abbey and of the bishops from Todi in 1278, In 1517 it passes under direct government of the Church. During fueds between the Guelfics and Ghibellines Acquasparta suffered heavy devastation. In 1609, Prince Federico Cesi established in the ducal palace the first European Scientific Academy which hosted many famous scientists, among them Galileo Galilei.
Acquasparta is very well situated in southern Umbria and for anyone wishing to explore the treasures that this area has to offer the discerning tourist, one of the primary roadways of Umbria the E45 autostrada is only 5 minutes from the town and Acquasparta also has its own railway station.
For more information check out Acquasparta.com it is a great resource for more information on this beautiful area of Umbria, thereis lots of information on all the surrounding areas and towns such as Todi, Spoleto, Orvieto, Trevi, Assisi, Perugia, Narni, Bevagna, Montefalco, Deruta, Norcia, etc, etc, etc. All of which are within no more than an hours drive from Casa Della Mura.
