Acquasparta

Origins and Middle Ages

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.^{[citation needed]} Thermal baths remain open to the public today.

The first reliable evidence for the existence of a settled nucleus at Acquasparta dates to the end of the 10th century. At the time, the territory of Acquasparta formed part of the Terre Arnolfe, lands between Spoleto, Todi and Terni granted by Otto I to Count Arnolf. At an unspecified date it was then subject to the Abbey of Farfa.^[5]

By the end of the 12th century the area was ruled by the descendants of Arnolf, known as the Bentivenga family, also referred to as the nobles of Acquasparta. In 1233 the settlement was subjugated by Todi, under whose jurisdiction it remained from the 13th to the 15th century.^[5]

On 8 August 1489 it was granted the status of terra franca (free land) by Pope Innocent VIII, implying a degree of local autonomy.^[5]

Early Modern and Modern era

Around 1500, during factional conflicts within Todi, Acquasparta was occupied by one faction and attacked by Altobello da Chiaravalle. The intervention of Pope Alexander VI, supported by leading mercenary captains, led to the destruction of the castle, the capture of Altobello, and the reintegration of the territory into the former Terre Arnolfe.^[5] On 10 March 1507 Pope Julius II visited the town, which was still experiencing shortages of food and basic goods as a consequence of those events.^[6]

In 1538 Pope Paul III sold Acquasparta to Pier Luigi Farnese. In 1540 it was transferred to Isabella Liviani [it], wife of Gian Giacomo Cesi, marking the beginning of Cesi family rule over Acquasparta and Portaria. In 1588 Pope Sixtus V elevated the territory to a duchy, with Federico Cesi as its first duke. The duchy reached its peak in the late 16th century under Federico II Cesi.^[5]

After the death of Federico II Cesi succession passed to Giovanni Federico Cesi, who resided in Rome and governed through an appointed representative. The plague of 1630 affected the town, and the 1703 Apennine earthquakes caused damage in the area.^[5]

In the late 18th century Acquasparta was influenced by events connected to the French invasion of Italy. In 1798 a municipality was established, subject to Spoleto. The last direct descendant of the Cesi family, Federico IX Cesi, renounced his rights over Acquasparta in 1800, retaining only the title. After the fall of Napoleon, direct papal rule was re-established.^[5]

On 6 July 1816 Acquasparta was classified as a baronial place within the Delegation of Spoleto. In 1817 it was united administratively with Configni and linked to the governor of San Gemini.^[5]

In 1860 Acquasparta was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy.^[5] In 1895 Acquasparta had a population of 3,682 inhabitants.^[6]

Subdivisions

The municipality includes the localities of Acquasparta, Canepine, Casigliano, Casteldelmonte, Collebianco, Configni, Firenzuola, Macerino, Portaria, Rosaro, San Nicolò, Santa Barbara, Selvarelle.^[7]

In 2021, 878 people lived in rural dispersed dwellings not assigned to any named locality.^[7] At the time, the most populous locality was Acquasparta proper (2,907).^[7]

San Francesco

Located outside the town walls, the Church of San Francesco was built in 1294 by Cardinal Matteo Bentivenga d'Acquasparta. It represents a typical example of early Franciscan architecture, marking a transition from Romanesque forms.^[9]

Inside the church is an icon of the Virgin and Child dating to the first half of the 14th century, traditionally venerated under the title of Madonna della Stella and associated with episodes such as plagues, earthquakes, and wars. Also preserved is a Franciscan painting copied from a work by Margaritone d'Arezzo, depicting Saint Francis and episodes from his life, as well as an ancient 14th-century wooden crucifix brought to the church from San Giovanni di Butris.^[9]

In the sacristy is an octagonal ciborium decorated with oil paintings attributed to Rinaldo di Calvi, depicting figures including Saint Francis, Saint Clare, Saint Louis, and Saint Bernardino of Siena.^[6] The cloister preserves elements of the original construction, including columns and a well.^[6]

Inside is a votive fresco dated 1430 depicting the Virgin enthroned with saints. The high altar features a mensa supported by twelve small columns in Gothic style.^[6]

Santa Cecilia

The church of Santa Cecilia, dedicated to the patron saint of the town, dates to the 12th century, as evidenced by its apse. Of particular interest is the Cesi Chapel, built in 1581 by Isabella Liviani Cesi, great-grandmother of Federico Cesi.^[9]

Within the collegiate church are seven canvases placed in the chapels, executed by various painters from the late 16th century to the second half of the 18th century.^[9]

Madonna del Giglio

The Church of the Madonna del Giglio, located opposite the Porta Vecchia which formerly served as the entrance to the town, dates to the 17th century. Inside are numerous frescoes, some of which remain well preserved.^[9]

Sacramento

The Church of the Sacrament was built in 1684 by the Confraternity of the Most Holy Sacrament. The building has a square plan and originally had a wooden trussed roof until the mid-19th century. Inside is a fragment of a Roman mosaic originating from the ancient city of Carsulae.^[9]

Other religious heritage

Other churches include:

• Madonna of the Cross: church completed in 1606
• Santissimo Sacramento: church incorporating a Roman Mosaic in its floor, is a very good example of 17th-century architecture
• San Giovanni de Butris: church a short way from Acquasparta, built on the remains of a Roman bridge, and incorporates very large Roman stone blocks.

Palazzo Cesi

Palazzo Cesi [it] was developed in the 16th century after Gian Giacomo Cesi and his wife Isabella of Alviano obtained the fief of Acquasparta in 1540. The palace was designed from 1561 by the Florentine architect Guidetto Guidetti, later replaced by the Milanese Gian Domenico Bianchi, and was completed around 1579.^[9]

Its façade has three stories, with projecting sides resembling towers. The interior includes a courtyard with two orders of loggias and Roman inscriptions originating from the ruins of Carsulae. The lower floor contains vaulted rooms painted by the Zuccari brothers, while the upper floor has a large hall and smaller rooms decorated with carved wooden ceilings and painted friezes.^[6]

In the early 17th century it became the residence of Federico Cesi and the seat of the Accademia dei Lincei. The palace hosted scientific activity and in 1624 also received Galileo Galilei.^[9]

The building is entered through a passage leading to the ground floor, from which a staircase gives access to the piano nobile. The interiors are decorated with frescoes celebrating the origins and military achievements of the Cesi family, alongside richly coffered wooden ceilings. Decorative cycles include mythological subjects inspired by Ovid's Metamorphoses, and the emblem of the Accademia dei Lincei, depicting a lynx encircled by a laurel wreath.^[9]

Other cultural sites

The historical center was once surrounded by medieval walls but, now mostly torn down, leaving only short stretches and a few cylindrical towers that at one time served as part of the town's defenses.

About 0.5 kilometres (0.31 mi) to the south-east of the town are the remains of a solid Roman bridge built of large blocks of travertine,^[6] the Ponte Fonnaia.

The surrounding countryside is charming in the Umbrian way, spotted with a few small castles such as the one at Configni.