Acquasparta: Thermal Park, Palazzo Cesi and Churches

Acquasparta offers a multifaceted starting point for a trip to Italy: springs and the landscape of the Monti Martani stand alongside Renaissance history, religious buildings and ancient connections. For individual travel planning focused on culture and landscape, Acquasparta offers specific highlights: the thermal park, Martani trails, Palazzo Cesi, churches and ancient remains.

Springs, rocks, mountains and Martani trails

The Amerino springs are also known as the Terme di San Francesco and are located in a thermal park among olive-covered rocks. The area around Acquasparta can be explored on the signposted Martani trekking trails in the Monti Martani area. Monte Rotondo is located in the immediate vicinity of Acquasparta; Monte Vagliamenti, Cima Panco and Monte Torre Maggiore are also situated in the surrounding area.

The Renaissance and Palazzo Cesi

The Festa del Rinascimento in Acquasparta features the three contrade of Ghetto, Porta Vecchia and San Cristoforo, which compete against one another in four contests. In 2023, the festival was held for the 24th time. Palazzo Cesi was built in the center of Acquasparta. In 1561, the design was entrusted to Guidetto Guidetti; later, Giovan Domenico Bianchi took over the design, and construction was completed around 1579. In 1618, Palazzo Cesi became the official seat of the Accademia dei Lincei.

Churches with many historical layers

The Church of Santa Cecilia in Acquasparta dates from the 12th century; the Cesi Chapel in the church was built in 1581. The Church of Madonna del Giglio dates from the 17th century. It contains numerous frescoes, some of which are well preserved. In the Piazza Vecchia district of Acquasparta, the Church of the Most Holy Sacrament was built in 1684. This church contains a fragment of a Roman mosaic from the ancient city of Carsulae.

The Church of San Francesco was built outside the walls of Acquasparta in 1294. It contains a Madonna della Stella icon depicting the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus, dating from the first half of the 14th century. Together, the churches reveal different historical periods, from medieval origins to buildings and works of art from the early modern period.

Ancient connections in the area around Acquasparta

The ancient site of Rovine di Carsoli is located in the immediate vicinity of Acquasparta. The wider regional area around Acquasparta also includes the Museo Archeologico e Teatro Romano, the Sistema Museo Soc. Coop Arl museum and Palazzo Gazzoli. The ancient connection extends from Carsulae, represented in the mosaic fragment, to Rovine di Carsoli in the immediate vicinity of Acquasparta. These destinations broaden the perspective from the local churches and palaces to the archaeology, history and culture of the region.

More destinations for orientation

More destinations: Canale Nuovo, Itieli, Montecastrilli, Monterubiaglio, Amelia, Vigne, Terni and Giove.

To the higher-level travel overview: Terni.