Acquaviva
Welcome to Acquaviva!
Hello! Today I'm taking you on a journey to discover Acquaviva, a beautiful hamlet of Montepulciano municipality in the province of Siena, located about 9 km from the capital. With its over 1300 inhabitants, it is situated 300 meters above sea level in the picturesque Valdichiana. Let's explore together the history, culture, events, and economy of this small Tuscan paradise.
History
Let me tell you a little about the history of Acquaviva. This hamlet spread during Roman civilization times, as can still be seen from the pavement of a Roman building found in 1957. The first mention of Acquaviva dates back to 803, when a document was signed at "San Vittorino de Acquaviva"; however, nothing is known about the church mentioned in this document, of which any trace has been lost.
Culture
What a marvelous place! I'd love to show you what you can do in Acquaviva. Let's start with the Teatro della Società dei Concordi: it's a pure "belle époque" gem! Renovated in the 90s, it hosts the amateur theater festival and the performances of the International Art Workshop of Montepulciano. Also, don't miss the San Vittorino Fair, which takes place on the first Saturday in September, and the Live Rock Festival, which takes place in the second week of the month. Since 1997, artists such as Oumou Sangaré, Asian Dub Foundation, Francesco De Gregori, Salmo (rapper), Afterhours, and many others have performed on the Acquaviva stage.
Events
The San Vittorino Fair represented an incredible commercial opportunity in the past: a predominantly rural economy needed the livestock trade. Today, the Fair has turned into an opportunity to buy goods of all kinds, in the four districts defined as "Aie" (blue, red, yellow, and green), located in the village. There are special events such as the "corsa dell'ocio" (goose race) and the "corsa dei carri" (cart race), which have been suspended for safety reasons. Don't forget to participate in the horse races, which take place three times a year at the Ceccuzzi Stadium, inaugurated at the end of the 80s in the Fontegrande area.
Economy
Economic activities in Acquaviva mainly focus on the sectors of winemaking, tourism, and agriculture. Winemaking has always been one of the area's excellences, thanks to the production of high-quality wine. Nowadays, tourism is becoming increasingly important, especially thanks to the great success of agritourism.
Conclusions
Dear friends, you can't miss the beauty of Acquaviva! With its main street, "Via Fratelli Celso e Claudio Braschi," and its 19th-century church with a Greek cross-shaped plan dedicated to San Vittorino, there is no better place to enjoy the beauties of Tuscany. Discover the history, culture, events, and economy of this splendid country, and you'll realize how fascinating it is. And, why not, maybe we'll see each other at the San Vittorino Fair!
