THE “ACQUA MARCIA” FOUNTAIN

THE “ACQUA MARCIA” FOUNTAIN

At the moment, you are in the Bagni area, beyond the Bormida River, connected to the tree-lined avenue of Corso Bagni and the city center by the stone bridge Carlo Alberto. After crossing the bridge, leaving the center of Acqui Terme behind and continuing on Viale Acquedotto Romano and then on Viale Antiche Terme, you will surely have noticed the Congress Center, a municipal building used for organizing fairs and events.

After walking through the pleasant Passeggiata Fonte Fredda, you have now reached the small fountain with the spring commonly called dell'Acqua Marcia, named after the strong sulfurous odor, or more commonly known as rotten egg, due to the release of hydrogen sulfide which it is rich in.

The small "Doric" temple, in neoclassical style, supported by four columns and surmounted by a triangular pediment with a small arch, houses the fountain with two taps of Acqua Marcia and was probably designed by Engineer Lorenzo Gianone in 1847. The neoclassical architecture of the work is a clear homage to the Roman tradition of the city and fits well into the surrounding greenery.

The same Engineer Gianone, in the same year, also built, on behalf of King Carlo Alberto, the thermal establishment "for the poor," the current "Carlo Alberto," now unused. The water from this fountain is drinkable and has therapeutic properties for mild digestive system problems.