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Fontana della Bollente: Acqui Terme's Thermal Heart

Experience Acqui Terme's heart at Fontana della Bollente: where ancient thermal traditions meet architectural beauty. A timeless symbol of wellness.

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The Fontana della Bollente is an iconic octagonal marble fountain in Acqui Terme, Italy, dispensing naturally hot, mineral-rich water at 74.5°C. Built in 1879, it stands as a symbol of the town's ancient thermal traditions dating back to Roman times, where locals and visitors alike gather to collect and drink the therapeutic waters.

A brief summary to Fontana della Bollente

  • Via Alla Bollente, 1, Acqui Terme, Province of Alessandria, 15011, IT
  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Bring a glass or bottle to sample the naturally hot, mineral-rich water directly from the fountain.
  • Visit early in the morning to observe locals collecting the water, continuing a centuries-old tradition.
  • In winter, experience the unique phenomenon of the square being naturally heated by the steam from the fountain's hot water.
  • Explore the nearby remains of Roman mosaics and the Torre Civica to delve deeper into Acqui Terme's history.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Acqui Terme city center, head east towards Via Alla Bollente. The fountain is located at Via Alla Bollente, 1. The walk is approximately 15 minutes, allowing you to enjoy the town's architecture along the way.

  • Public Transport

    From the Acqui Terme train station, exit and find the bus stop for local buses heading to the city center. Get off at the city center stop and walk towards Via Alla Bollente. The Fontana della Bollente is a short walk from the bus stop. A regular ticket costs €1.70.

  • Parking

    If driving, navigate to Via Alla Bollente, 1. Parking is usually available nearby, either at parking meters or in nearby parking lots. Parking fees vary, so check local signs. Free parking is available at the railway station and Via Romita. Camper van area is located 1km from the city center and costs €10 per day.

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Discover more about Fontana della Bollente

Fontana della Bollente, located in the heart of Acqui Terme, is more than just a fountain; it's a symbol of the city's rich history and thermal heritage. The octagonal marble structure, built in 1879 by architect Giovanni Cerutti, houses a natural hot spring that gushes forth water at a temperature of 74.5°C. This water is rich in minerals, specifically sulfureo-salso-bromo-iodica, known for their therapeutic properties. Since Roman times, Acqui Terme has been renowned for its thermal baths, then known as Aquae Statiellae. The Fontana della Bollente stands as a testament to this enduring tradition. The fountain's name, meaning "the boiling," is a nod to the scalding temperatures of the water that flows from it. Visitors can freely access the fountain and even fill their bottles with the continuously flowing thermal water. The fountain has a remarkable flow rate of 560 liters per minute. In the winter, the steam rising from the hot water creates a unique and natural heating effect in the square. Local legend tells of a custom where newborns were briefly immersed in the fountain's waters; those who survived were given the nickname "sgaientò," meaning "scalded" in the local dialect. Today, the fountain is a gathering place where people collect the mineral-rich water for drinking and its purported health benefits. Near the fountain, you can also see the Torre Civica, built in 1763 on the foundations of a gate from the ancient walls. In Via Saracco, which leads to the square, are the old arcades where you can still admire the remains of a mosaic floor from the Roman era.

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