The undisputed highlights among the tourist attractions of Acquapendente are the crypt of the San Sepolcro Cathedral and the Chiesa di San Francesco. Unfortunately, little remains of the ancient medieval city walls.
Top 10 tourist attractions Acquapendente
01. San Sepolcro Cathedral
The main tourist attraction of Acquapendente is the San Sepolcro Cathedral. Among other things, here you can see a blood-stained stone that came from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Underneath this basilica is an extremely beautiful crypt.
02. San Francesco Church
The Church of St. Francis was built in 1149. Its biggest attraction is a wooden crucifix from the 13th century. This originally Gothic church was adapted in the 18th century to the Baroque style prevailing at the time. In the sacristy there is a Pinocchio library.
03. Torre Julia de’ Jacopo
The Torre Julia de’ Jacopo is named after a historical figure from Acquapendente and houses both the town’s tourist office and a small ceramics museum where finds from excavations in the area are on display. Previously it was a city gate.
04. Palazzo Vescovile
The Palazzo Vescovile is the episcopal palace of Acquapendente. Today it is the seat of the Museo Civico Diocesano, where one can see works of art from the churches of the city. Also on display are centuries-old prison cells, including some ancient graffiti by its former inmates.
05. City walls
The city walls used to consist of a double ring around the old historical center. After the war with Orvieto, in 1198, the walls had to be rebuilt. They were made smaller then before, though, and still later converted into houses.
06. Santa Vittoria Church
In the Santa Vittoria Church there is a statue of the Madonna del Fiore, made of wood from a famous chestnut tree. The church itself is the oldest parish church in the city.
07. Palazzo Viscontini
The Palazzo Viscontini dates back to the Renaissance period..
08. Torre di Barbarossa
The Torre di Barbarossa is the only part left of the former castle of Federico I Barbarossa. Around this tower, rebuilt in the 19th century, there is now a large park.
09. Sant’Agostino Church
The Sant’Agostino Church and Convent were founded in the year 1290. After a fire in 1746, it was the first church in Acquapendente to receive a Baroque facelift.
10. Piazza Girolamo Fabrizio
The central square of the city is is the Piazza Girolamo Fabrizio, named after a surgeon born in Acquapendente in 1535. In addition to the Palazzo Comunale, there are a handful of beautiful buildings, such as the Palazzo Benci-Caterini, the Palazzo Savini-Costantini and the Palazzo Petrucci-Piccioni.
More tourist attractions Acquapendente
In the Piazza della Costituente stands the Monumento dei Caduti in memory of the inhabitants of Acquapendente who died in World War I.
The San Giovanni Church was consecrated in 1149 and is located to the right of a palace built by Ascania Sforza in 1535, which was converted into a monastery by the Franciscan Order of Minorites in 1617. Today it houses an old people’s home.
The Santa Caterina Church stands in Via Roma. Its facade is based on the design of the bell tower of the nearby Sant’Agostino Church.
The Fonte del Rigombo and the Fonte delle Rugarelle are two monumental fountains in Acquapendente. Both springs owe their present aspect to late 19th century reconstructions under Guglielmo Meluzzi.
The San Lorenzo Church is characterized by a facade receding from the neighboring houses and a fresco of the 16th century.
The Civic Hospital (Ospedale Civile) was created long ago as a fusion between a number of previously existing nursing homes for pilgrims. The antique door dates back to the Middle Ages and an old fresco from the 16th century can still be seen at the entrance. The facade was designed in 1897 by the architect A. Piccioni.
Tourist attractions outside Acquapendente
Torre Alfina is an old medieval town on a volcanic hill. In this suburb of Acquapendente there is also a castle.
A second suburb of the town is Trevinano, also with a medieval castle and the Madonna della Quercia Church.
The Museo del Fiore (“Flower Museum”) is located about 5 kilometers outside of town, in a very old farmhouse called Casale Giardino. Part of the museum is dedicated to the Pugnaloni tradition. The entrance fee is 3 Euro.
The Monte Rufino Nature Reserve is intersected by trails for mountain bikes. There are 27 old farmhouses in this natural park, which is on the border with the regions of Umbria and Tuscany.