Acqui Terme
Acqui Terme ( Äich Piedmontese ) is a city of 20,238 (as of 31 December 2012) inhabitants in the province of Alessandria (AL), Piedmont region of Italy. Acqui Terme is famous for its hot sulfur springs, one of which is located in the city center.
To the city include the districts Lussito, Ovrano and Moirano. The neighboring municipalities are Alice Bel Colle, Castel Rocchero, Cavatore, Grognardo, Melazzo, Montabone, Ricaldone, Strevi, Terzo and Visone. The patron saint of the city is San Guido.
Geography
The city is located 34 km southwest of the provincial capital of Alessandria on the southeastern edge of Montferrat. The place is located on the right bank of the river Bormida at an altitude of 156 m above sea level. The municipality covers 33.42 km ².
History
The current name of the city comes from the Latin, in Roman times the city was called Aquae Statiellae. It was established, however, previously, by a Ligurian tribe under the name Carystum. In 173 BC it was destroyed by Marcus Popillius Laenas and re-established under the name Aquae Statiellae. After construction of the Roman road Aemilia Scaurii the city gained in economic importance. By the end of the Roman Empire the town was known for its thermal springs, which have been counted among the best of the Empire.
After the end of Roman rule began Acqui a period of decline. The city was conquered by the Lombards and became part of the Principality of Asti. Under episcopal rule from the year 978, a city wall was built and started the construction of the cathedral.
1135, the city became independent and got into the field of view of the expansionist aims of the princes of Ponzone and Montferrat. In the 12th century the city went a function of the latter to escape the domination of the rival neighboring town of Alessandria.
Attractions
With the construction of Santa Maria Assunta cathedral was begun in 989, in 1067 it was consecrated. Has an altar in Baroque style and a triptych of the Madonna del Monserrato.
The castle ( Castello dei Paleologo ), now an archaeological museum, originally built in 1056, but was rebuilt in the 15th century by Guglielmo VII.
The Church of the Addolorata was founded in the 7th century the Lombards con and strongly modified in the 18th century. Of the original construction of the nave and the Romanesque bell tower have been preserved.
A thermal source in the form of an octagon from 1879, called La Bollente donates approximately 75 ° C thermal water in the center of the city.
Population
Demographic Trends
Sons and daughters of the town
- Luigi Raimondi (1912-1975), Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church