Acquasparta

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Comune di Acquasparta
Municipal coat of arms
Country	Italy
Region	Umbria
Province	Terni (TR)
Mayor	Sara Spezzi (since June 13, 2006)

Elevation	320 m
Area	79 km²
Population
- Total	4,533
- Density	57/km²
Time zone	CET, UTC+1
Coordinates	42°41′N 12°33′E
Gentilic	Acquaspartani
Dialing code	0744
Postal code	05021
Frazioni	Casigliano, Casteldelmonte, Cisterna, Collebianco, Configni, Firenzuola, Macerino, Portaria, Rosaro, Selvarelle Alte, Selvarelle Basse
Patron	Saint Cecilia

Website: www.comune.acquasparta.tr.it

Acquasparta is a town and commune in the province of Terni (Umbria, central Italy). It is located on a hill above the Naia Valley and the river of the same name, facing the Monti Martani mountain range.

It also sits between two hot springs, the Amerino and the Furipane.

[edit] History

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. Thermal baths remain open to the public today.

The city was later part of the Terre Arnolfe, and was later subjected to Todi. Subsequently, in 1588, it became a fief of the Cesi family.

[edit] Main sights

Its historical center at one time was 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.

Inside the old part of town, which is quiet and unprepossessing, 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 very poor, but improving, condition. The main portal includes some fine ashlar work and its interior features impressive carved wooden ceilings. It also possesses a capacious and delightful courtyard. Next to the Palazzo is a loggia with some remnants of Roman foundations.

At one time, the Palazzo's proprietor, Federico Cesi, housed the scientifically oriented Accademia dei Lincei here, attracting such teachers as Galileo Galilei. Today the Palazzo Cesi houses a small museum with a number of ancient artifacts, including Roman stone work from nearby Carsulae. The facility is also used for meetings and traveling exhibitions.

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 was built in the 1500s and contains an elegant chapel in which lies the tomb of Frederico Cesi.

The surrounding countryside is charming in the Umbrian way, spotted with a few small castles - or castelli - such as the one at Configni. Of note a short way from Acquasparta is the church of San Giovanni de Butris, which was built on the remains of a Roman bridge, and incorporates very large Roman stone blocks. Also, along the via Flaminia, going north, is the ruin of another Roman bridge, the Ponte Fonnaia.