A fountain of water at 75 degrees in the square
On the Bormida river, in the hills of the Alto Monferrato, Acqui Terme has been a spa town since Roman times, when it was called Aquae Statiellae and was one of the most famous thermal centres of northern Italy. Its symbol is in the middle of the historic centre: the Bollente, literally "the boiling one", a hot spring that gushes from the ground at a temperature of about 75 degrees, among the hottest in Europe, in the square of the same name. In 1879 an elegant marble aedicule, a small octagonal temple designed by Giovanni Ceruti, was built over the spring.
The water, rich in sulphur, salt, bromine and iodine, flows continuously and gives off steam, especially in winter; the inhabitants and visitors put their hands in it carefully, or fill bottles. The springs feed the thermal baths, with treatments of mud and water, used since antiquity for rheumatic and respiratory diseases. Along the Bormida stand the impressive remains of the Roman aqueduct, with tall stone arches, and the city also has the Romanesque cathedral of the Assunta, with a triptych by Bartolomé Bermejo, and the Castello dei Paleologi, which houses the archaeological museum. Acqui is also the capital of Brachetto d'Acqui, a sweet, aromatic red sparkling wine, perfect with desserts.
Tip: in the evening the Bollente is lit up and the steam creates a suggestive atmosphere; try the Brachetto with the typical amaretti of Acqui.
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