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Monferrato area
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Parks and interesting places in Asti area
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Parks and interesting places in Alessandria area
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BATHS
AND GOLD
(ACQUI
TERME AREA)
Situated
on the left hand side of the Bormida river is the town of
Acqui Terme which boasts antique origins. Acqui Terme was
founded by the Statielli, a native population who belonged
to the Ligurian Ethnic group. The most important centre
of this tribe was Caristum which was later conquered in
the II century a.c. by the roman army, lead by Marco Popilio
Lenate. Due to it's favourable position and the considerable
amount of thermal water in the town, Rome decided to create
one of the most important spa centres, and for this reason
the Aemilia Scauria was built which joined Tortona to Vado
Ligure.  The
town flourished around the I century a.c. and was called
"Aquae Statiellae",carrying the name of the first inhabitants
and of the thermal water which derived from the ground.
The most flourishing period was between the I and II century
d.c. Testimonies in historical documentation by Plinio,
Strabone, Seneca and Tacito, show the importance of the
town and of it's therapeutic water. A visible sign of the
town's ancient past can be seen by admiring the remains
of the roman aqueduct, dating from the I century d.c, which
cleverly extracted water from the nearby Erro river and
fed not only public and private fountains, but most important
the thermal swimming pools. From it's original length of
10 km, unfortunately only 4 arches remain (6 metres by 15),
and some columns which are visible from the main road which
leads to Sassello. For more than 2000 years the thermal
establishments have represented the fundamental basis for
the town, and during roman times there existed at least
two. The first and probably the most important establishment
was found in Piazza della Bollente, when during excavations
carried out under the Greek style temple designed by the
Architect Cerruti (inaugurated in 1879), a mosaic pavement
bearing an inscription was discovered (visible under the
porticos of Via Saracco), and marble chairs which are preserved
in the Archaeological Museum. The second establishment consisted
of a therapeutic swimming pool, discovered at the beginning
of Corso Bagni, which will open to the public in the year
2002. Another discovery was made near the square where the
Town Hall is situated: a water system destined for public
use, consisting of a jet fountain adjoining a rectangular
bath which served as a drinking trough.  With
the decline of the Roman Empire, other spa centres in Italy
started to disappear, but for Acque Statiellae, even though
there were many problems throughout the years, fortunately
they were not enough to ruin it's existence. The town throughout
the centuries became an ever growing important political
and economical centre up until the XX century, when after
the II World War, went through a decadence period which
transformed into a total disinterestedness, and was enough
to make it crumble. This tendency has changed only during
the last decade. In-fact, the town has and is undergoing
an important development campaign, especially throughout
the historical centre, which today, together with the potential
of the spa centres, the wine and gastronomy resources and
the beautiful countryside, are valid reasons to attract
a certain quality of tourism
The
gastronomy
The cuisine of Monferrato is so rich, despite its humble
farmhouse origins, that it would be practically impossible
to speak of all the local dishes. Originating from the very
modest economic conditions that were endured through the
centuries, the Monferrato's and the Acqui's gastronomy have
gradually become more elaborate, whilst preserving all the
natural local ingredients and components. Acqui's cuisine
has been influenced by the Ligurian and the Southern Region
of Piedmont. The three different traditions mingle together
creating nice and tasty dishes, such as: focaccia, filled
pastry and codfish with olives from the nearby Liguria.
Last but not least we should mention our wide range of wines
among them the Moscato and the famous Brachetto.
Truffles
The
truffle is one of the most appreciated products of the Monferrato
area. It is an underground fungus and grows in symbiosis
with certain trees, in particular oaks, willows, limes and
poplars.
Its delicacy, colour and intensity of aroma, which can be
white or as dark as coffee with pale streaks depends on
the plants it grows under. The truffle search begins on
15 September and ends on 31 January and is surrounded by
the secrecy of the spots where the precious fungus develops.
Truffles are at their best eaten fresh or in simple hot
dishes.
To
mark Acqui's fortune was the abundance of therapeutic water,
whose importance depends in the chemical-physique characteristics
found in it. The surrounding area is scattered with hot
springs, the main one is in P.za della Bollente, where the
water gushes out at a temperature of 75°C with a capacity
of 560 litres a minute. The majority of the water is utilised
for the treatments carried out in the central establishment
of the "Nuove Terme", which was built between 1870 and 1880.
 The
second spring is situated in the "Bagni area", over the
Bormida river, where various springs give life to a small
lake called the "Antiche Terme", whose temperature ranges
around 50°C. Back in 1480, development started in this part
of the town with Cardinal Teodoro, brother of the Marquis
of the Monferrato region. Major development took place during
the XVIth century. In 1687, after a terrible land-slide
of the Stregone Mount, the spa centre was rebuilt under
the command of the Duke of Mantova, giving life to the thermal
establishment called the "Antiche Terme". The complex was
built around the "lake", and was constructed utilising innovative
architectonical characteristics for that period, following
the design by the Casalese Architect Giovanni Battista Scapitta.
At the end of the '700s the Military establishment was constructed,
and meanwhile in 1847, the "hotel for the poor people" was
built, wanted by Carlo Alberto, therefore giving everybody
the possibility of using the spa centres. Also wanted by
the King, was the bridge which united the spa centre of
the Antiche Terme with that of the Nuove Terme in the town
centre. Today, the Bagni area is made up of the spa centre
"Regina", which hosts treatment quarters and a hotel. The
"Antiche Terme" establishment is due to undergo refurbishment,
as is the thermal area surrounding it, with the construction
of a new thermal swimming pool. The "Nuove Terme" hotel
will become a 4 star hotel with thermal swimming pool.
get
our "Piedmont Manual"
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