# Acqui Terme

- **Country:** Italy
- **Coordinates:** 44.683333, 8.466667

Acqui Terme is a historic city and municipality located in the province of Alessandria within the Piedmont region of northern Italy. Situated approximately 35 kilometers southwest of Alessandria, the town lies at an elevation of 156 meters and serves as one of the principal winemaking communes for the renowned Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG wine. While often associated with a castle in local lore, the area is technically defined by its ancient urban fortifications and its status as a former Roman stronghold known as Aquae Statiellae. The site was originally inhabited by the Statielli, a Celto-Ligurian tribe, before falling under Roman rule following a brutal conflict in 173 BC led by Consul Marcus Popillius Laenas.

The architectural and historical identity of Acqui Terme is deeply rooted in its famous hot sulphur springs, which have been celebrated since antiquity. References to these therapeutic baths appear in the works of chroniclers such as Paulus Diaconus and Liutprand of Cremona. In 1870, architect Giovanni Ceruti enhanced the site's infrastructure by designing La Bollente, a distinctive pavilion that covers the central spring where water emerges at temperatures up to 75 degrees Celsius. This structure remains a focal point of the town, symbolizing the seamless blend of ancient utility and nineteenth-century design that characterizes the local landscape.

Today, Acqui Terme functions as a vibrant cultural hub and spa destination, maintaining its reputation as a place of healing and relaxation. The city preserves significant archaeological evidence of its past, including a necropolis discovered in nearby Montabone in 2008, which sheds light on the Iron Age history of the Statielli people. Although specific medieval castle structures are not detailed in the provided records, the town's enduring significance lies in its continuous occupation from pre-Roman times through the modern era. It stands as a testament to the region's complex military history and its long-standing tradition as a premier thermal resort in northern Italy.

![Photo of Acqui Terme](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/Acqui_Terme_%E2%80%93_La_Bollente.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acqui_Terme (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)