Points of Interest:
Monuments: The Palazzo De Seta has an interesting portal.
There are some archaeological sites in the commune, mostly dating from Greco-Roman times.
Churches (& other religious sites): The church of S. Teresa Vergine (in the frazione of Intavolata) has a fine façade and a glass door created by Cesare Baccelli.
The other religious monument of interest is the 19th century parish church of Santa Maria del Rifugio. Among its treasures is an 18th century silver ostensorium.
Festivals/Feasts/Events:
Acquarelli: (fl. c1640). Neapolitan painter. An architectural painter, he specialized in depictions of ornamental decoration from churches palaces, and theaters.
Aquaria, Claudio: See Aquaviva, Claudio.
Acquarica del Capo (LE): A commune of Puglia, in the province of Lecce.
Region: Puglia │ Province: Lecce.
Coordinates: Lat. 39°54’43″N/Long. 18°14’46″E.
Location/Setting: Located 59 km. S of Lecce, it is situated in a beautiful valley of the Salentine Murge, between the Serra di Pozzo Mauro and the Serra dei Cianci.
Alt.: 110 m.
Area: 18.37 km².
Population: 4,44 (2006e).
Pop. Density: /km².
Frazioni & Localities:
CAP: 73040
Tel. Prefix: 0833
Name of Inhabitants: Acquaricesi.
Patron Saint(s): San Carlo Borromeo. Feast Day: Nov. 4.
Economy: The town is a center for wine growing and reed basket making.
History: The commune was founded in the 10th century as Bonsecolo by the Normans, to replace the earlier town of Pompignano, destroyed by the Saracens. The place was settled by refugees from Pompignano, while other settlers came from the towns of Ceciovizzo and Cardigliano. In 1190, King Tancred awarded the place as a fief to the Guarino family, who maintained control of it, with some lapses, until the end of the 17th century. The town was rebuilt after 1432 when the area was conquered by Giovanni Antonio Orsini, prince of Taranto.
A major earthquake struck in 1947.
Points of Interest:
Monuments: The quadrilateral Castle dates to between 1432 and 1445. Some decorative 17th/18th century relief work still survives as does one of the four circular towers included at each corner. The castle is one of the earliest examples of a fortification designed to defend against firearms.
Not far from the communal center is the Masseria di Celsorizzo. It arose in the 17th century around an earlier defensive tower dating from the middle of the 16th century.
Churches (& other religious sites): The Baroque Church of San Carlo Borromeo, built in 1661 upon an earlier structure, has a fine 17th century portal. In the sacristy is a 17th century grille of windows of beautiful carved stone.
The 19th century church of San Giovanni Battista (reconstructed in 1826) has a simple façade and an interesting campanile.
The church of Madonna del Ponte was built during the 19th century on the site of an earlier structure.
The small chapel of the Immacolata dates from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Outside the center, the 11th century church of Santa Maria Pannetti (or Panelli) contains some interesting 13th century murals depicting religious themes. The small church has a simple façade and two semicircular apses.
The church of Vergine Assunta in Cielo (or the Madonna di Pompignano) contains some fine 16th, 17th and 18th century artwork. Among the treasures is 17th century painting of the Madonna with Child and an 18th century canvas of the Annunciation.