What to see in Acquaviva Picena

Acquaviva Picena is an Italian town in the province of Ascoli Piceno in the Marche region. It stands on a hill overlooking the landscape of the Tronto valley, a few kilometers away from the Adriatic Sea and from San Benedetto del Tronto. From the mid-hill elevation of the town it is possible to see, in fine weather, in addition to the highest peak of the Sibillini (Monte Vettore), also the most distant mountains of Abruzzo (Gran Sasso, Majella).

The site of Acquaviva was inhabited since prehistoric times, of which it has returned numerous finds, especially from the Picena era. When the Picenes, who were certainly settled there in the 6th century BC, remained subjugated to Rome, the acquavitano territory preserved vitality, but it was with the barbarian invasions that the hill saw the birth of a real urban settlement: the arrival of the Lombards and Saracens in fact induced coastal populations to repair on the surrounding hills. The village was originally a Farfense estate, then it became a fief of the Acquaviva family (hence the name) who built a fortress in the 13th century.

The most important monuments are: the Acquaviva Fortress (XIII-XIV century): majestic medieval fortress, among the largest and best preserved in the Marche, rebuilt in the 15th century by Baccio Pontelli, the Clock Tower, the Mother Church of San Nicolò: built in the XVI century and remodeled in the XIX century, the Romanesque Church of San Rocco (XIII century): it is the oldest church of Acquaviva, the Church of San Lorenzo (XVII century): an Augustinian temple founded in 1613, the Church of San Giuseppe , the Church of the Madonna della Pietà, the suburban Church of San Francesco: annexed to the oldest Franciscan convent in the Marca fermana, founded by the same Francesco d’Assisi, the rustic Church of Santa Maria delle Piane, the rustic Church of Santa Maria in Accubitu .

Two important events take place in the historic center of the city of Acquaviva: – the Acquaviva Comics Academy (one of the most important national events on comics, born in 1996 as Acquaviva in the comics that takes place annually in August); and Sponsalia (historical re-enactment of the marriage between Forasteria d’Acquaviva and Rainaldo di Brunforte (1234). Organized since 1988 at the turn of the months of July and August, provides for the dispute of the Palio del Duca between the two city districts).

Distance from the Playa Sirena Residence: 26 km.