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Acquasparta

Acquasparta
Situated on a hill, Acquasparta is an ancient hydro-thermal and holiday centre known as far back as the Roman Age.
Its name probably derives from the Latin "ad aquas partas", i.e. "by the springs", thus testifyng to the fact that the locality is rich in mineral springs, such as those of Furapane and Amerino, which are exploited for therapeutic purposes in well-equipped thermal structures.
In the Middle Ages the town belonged to the Terre Arnolfe, than it was part of the possessions of the Abbey of Farfa; later it belonged to the Diocesan Curia of Todi, and finally to the Cesi family.
It was the place of birth of the Cardinal Matteo d'Acquasparta, who lived in Florence in the 1300s, mentioned by Dante in the Purgatory.
In 1609 Prince Federico Cesi founded, with other important personalities, the prestigious Scientific Academy of the Lincei.
Acquasparta preserves remains of the medieval walls, with beautiful cylindrical towers; anyway the most important monument of the town is Palazzo Cesi: situated in the centre of the town, it is an imponent structure of the 16th century built by Giovanni Domenico Bianchi.
The façade is fitted in two projecting parts and has a fine ashlar-work portal; a beautiful courtyard with gallery, and splendid rooms with wood carving ceiling. In this palace Prince Federico gave hospitality to Galileo Galilei. Beside the building there is a loggia with Roman remains.
Visiting the town one can also see two church rather interesting: that of S. Francesco (1290), with a fine old altar on little columns, a wooden Crucifix from the 1400s, and remains of the cloister; that of S.Cecilia (1500s), where, in an elegant chapel, is the tomb of Federico Cesi.