Acquaviva Picena

What to know

Perched on a hill overlooking the valley of the Tronto and the Adriatic coast, in the Piceno area, Acquaviva Picena is famous for its imposing Rocca, one of the best-preserved fortresses in the Marche. Of medieval origin, the village grew as a strategic castle contested by the powerful lordships of the territory, in particular between Fermo and Ascoli, which long disputed the control of these borderlands. The present fortress, with its powerful form and the rounded profiles of its towers, is the result of a fifteenth-century design attributed to the circle of Baccio Pontelli. The historic centre, girded by walls, preserves the atmosphere of the fortified village, with its stone alleys, its clustered houses and its panoramic views that stretch towards the sea and the mountains. Acquaviva is also known for the ancient craft of the "pistacoppe", the art of straw weaving handed down from mother to daughter. The surrounding landscape, made of gentle cultivated hills and vineyards, slopes down towards the coast in a succession of luminous panoramas, among olive groves, farmhouses and orderly fields that draw the eye all the way to the sea. Awarded the Orange Flag of the Touring Club, Acquaviva Picena is today a much-appreciated destination for its fortress, for its evocative historical re-enactments and for its privileged position a few kilometres from the beaches of the Riviera delle Palme, able to unite in a single place the memory of the medieval past and the lively hospitality of a land overlooking the Adriatic and rich in flavours.

What to see

The symbolic monument is the Rocca, an extraordinary fortress with towers, walkways and the keep, which houses the Museum of Ancient Arms and offers spectacular views over the valley of the Tronto and the Adriatic. Worth seeing are the castle walls, the church of San Rocco and the other churches of the centre, rich in works of sacred art, together with the historic palazzi and the evocative glimpses of the village. A special place is dedicated to the craft of the "pistacoppe", the ancient art of straw weaving, handed down by the women of the village and still alive today in the workshops and local events. The streets of the centre, well-kept and panoramic, invite quiet strolls among arches, portals and little squares, while the historical re-enactments, such as the summer chivalric tournament, animate the village with processions, contests and costumed performers, bringing the medieval era back to life. Craft workshops and small taverns enliven the streets during the summer days, amid flavours and ancient know-how. From the belvederes the gaze ranges from the Monti della Laga and the Sibillini all the way to the blue of the Adriatic. The proximity to San Benedetto del Tronto and the Riviera delle Palme, together with the hilly hinterland dotted with vineyards and olive groves, makes it possible to combine in a single itinerary fortified village, sea, nature and the traditions of the Piceno. Acquaviva is thus an ideal destination for those seeking history, panoramas and authenticity, in a territory that interweaves the allure of the mountains with the luminous charm of the Adriatic coast.

What to eat

The cuisine of Acquaviva Picena is the rich and flavoursome one of the Piceno, suspended between hill and sea. Queen of the table are the celebrated olive all'ascolana, olives stuffed with meat, breaded and fried, an authentic speciality of the territory, together with the fritto misto all'ascolana, which combines vegetables, meats and fried cream in a festive dish. Among the first courses are the maccheroncini, the tagliatelle and the vincisgrassi, the sumptuous traditional lasagne, while among the second courses are roast meats and, thanks to the proximity to the coast, the fish of the Adriatic, from the fragrant brodetto to the fried paranza. Not to be missed are the local cured meats, the spreadable ciauscolo and the sheep's cheeses, accompanied by field vegetables and the extra virgin olive oil of the hills. Giving character to the dishes is Rosso Piceno wine, a robust red of the territory, together with the fresh Falerio, ideal companions to every course. There is no shortage of pulse soups, stuffed vegetables and the humble dishes of country cooking, together with the bread and oil of the hills. Among the sweets, the delights of the Piceno tradition stand out, from the Carnival fritters to the fruit and jam tarts. The village fairs and the historical re-enactments offer the chance to savour these typical products in a convivial atmosphere, among the trattorias of the village and the farmhouse inns of the surrounding hills, where genuine flavours and sincere hospitality tell the soul of a generous land, able to guard its gastronomic roots with pride and to renew them with every season.