Fontana della Bollente: Acqui Terme's Thermal Heart

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.