The Torre Julia de’ Jacopo is a tower in Acquapendente in the province of Viterbo. The town’s Tourist Office and the offices of the Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve are located on the first floor of the building.
Torre Julia de’ Jacopo Acquapendente
Address and opening times
The address of the Torre Julia de’ Jacopo is Piazza N. Costantini, snc – 01021 Acquapendente. Opening hours Tourist office: Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 18:30; Sundays and holidays from 09:30 to 12:30. Tower opening hours: 1 October – 30 March: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 18:30. Opening hours 1 April – 30 September: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 till 13.00 and from 15.30 till 19.00 hrs. Entrance fee: 3 Euro. Entrance fee 65+ and children from 7 to 14 years: 2 Euro. Free of charge: Children under 7. Included: Visit to the Palazzo Vescovile (Museo Civico Diocesano).
History and description
The Torre Julia de’ Jacopo used to be called the Porta San Sepolcro. It is named after a young girl who, on January 18, 1550, managed to close the gate before hostile armies could enter the city.
Nowadays the tower serves as a visitor center for the town of Acquapendente and the Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve. Typical products of the city and the region are also sold inside the building.
On the top floor, ceramic objects found during excavations in the historic center of the city are on display. The objects date back to the 13th century, depicting, among others, coats of arms, human and anthropomorphic figures, plants and random motifs.
Several of these objects were found near the former Sant’Agostino Monastery. The exhibition is preceded by a section that explains the history and technique of ceramic art in Acquapendente.