Acqualagna

A location identified with a double “t” from truffles and tourism.  Here in the valley of the river Metauro, at the exact point where the green waters of the River Candigliano flow into the River Burano, there is a nature of unparalleled beauty. The Apennine slopes of Catria and Nerone draw its contours, while the Furlo Gorge brushes the landscape of Acqualanga with a stunning rampage of limestone rocks in pink and white tones.

The distinctive element of the double "t" appears in the name of one of the area’s most illustrious fellow citizens: the beloved Enrico Mattei, founder of Eni, and whom Acqualanga preserves his original home, becoming the first museum in Italy dedicated to him . From the desk with glasses and fishing gear, unpublished personal stories emerge: the last signature of the engineer before he was killed and the champagne cork popped in February 1953 to celebrate Eni's birth.

Cited for the first time in a document of 1292, Acqualagna was born as a small village downstream from the ancient Monfalcone castle, which has now disappeared. The municipal territory coincides with the ancient Roman centre of Pitinum Mergens destroyed by Alarico.  Among the prestigious buildings, the ancient parish church dedicated to Santa Lucia, the Marian sanctuary of the Pelingo with a fresco of the Madonna, the church of the Madonna del Pietriccio with frescoes from the  1300’s, the abbey of Santa Maria Nuova, the castle of Naro and Villa of Colombara, a roman rural building from II century BC.  Acqualanga is also a land of saints: in the ancient 8th century Abbey, today called San Vincenzo al Furlo, both San Romualdo and San Pier Damiani lived here.

Known throughout the world for its truffle primacy, The region has put its fortune in the most famous tuber of all time thanks to the many events organised at different times of the year (The National Truffle Fair) the area boasts a multi-century tradition of research, production and marketing. The appeal of this delight attracts enthusiasts and sellers from all over Italy.

Here, the tourist remains dazzled by the quality and variety of nature trails: footpaths in the Furlo Gorge, the discovery of the Roman tunnel excavated by Vespasiano to allow the Apennines to be crossed and joined to the Tyrrhenian sea and the Adriatic slopes along the Via Flaminia.  There are bicycle tours on winding mountain roads in search of the highest peak and the most beautiful view or even exciting horse riding excursions.

In winter, Acqualanga is a popular destination for its skiing thanks to the slopes not being far from the town centre.