Acuto is a small mountain village (around 2000 inhabitants) near the town of Anagni in the province of Frosinone south of Rome. The name derives from the shape of the mountain it is built on.
Acuto city guide
Curiosities
Though Acuto is supposed to have been founded by inhabitants of Anagni trying to escape an invasion, in reality the site was already inhabited in pre-Roman times.
Acuto tourist attractions and other landmarks
The most important tourist attraction of this mainly agricultural community is the medieval castle in the center of Acuto. The streets of the historical center are all covered with grey cobblestones with a strip of red bricks in the centre.
- Santa Maria di Acuto: It used to contain an 18th century wooden statue of Santa Maria di Acuto, now in the Palazzo Venezia in Rome. In the years between 1861 and 1873 the church was restored and adorned with a bas-relief depicting an eagle (symbolizing the royal family) attacking a crow (symbolizing the church).
- 8th Century Church of Saint Peter.
- Church of the Saints Sebastiano and Rocco.
- Church of Saint Mary Magdalene (a former lazaret).
- Museo della Santa Maria de Mattias (Corso Umberto I, Tel. 077556006).
- City Gates.
- Outside Acuto: the National Park “Cesa Rotonda”.
A brief history of Acuto
In 450, inhabitants of Anagni forced to flee their city, founded Acuto. In all likelyhood, a settlement already existed in this spot, however.
A document dated 1051 mentions a castle near Acuto, called Castrum Acuti.
The name of Acuto derives from the characteristic shape of its mountain (acuto is a “sharp angle” in Italian).
My grandfathers family is from acuto Italy. Bellucci is the last name.