Acquaro (VV): A commune of Calabria, in the province of Vibo Valentia.
Former Names (if any):
Region: Calabria │ Province: Vibo Valentia.
Coordinates: Lat. 38°33’20″N/Long. 16°11’16″E.
Location/Setting: Located 27 km SE of Vibo Valentia, it is situated in the basin of the river Marepotamo, to the right of a tributary of the torrent Petriano. Its territory is crossed by the river Amello. Part of the Comunità Montana dell’Alto Mesima. Part of the Regione Agraria n. 3 – Colline Orientali del Mesima e dell’Angitola.
Alt.: 262 m.
Area: 25.32 km².
Population: 3,046 (2001).
Pop. Density: /km².
Frazioni & Localities: Camerino, Fellari, Limpidi, Maiera’, Piani di Acquaro.
CAP: 89832
Tel. Prefix: 0963
Name of Inhabitants:
Patron Saint(s): (Feast Day:).
Frazioni: Tel. Prefix: 0963. Postal Code: 89832.
Population Designation: Acquaresi.
Patron Saint (s): S. Rocco. Feast Day: 3rd Sunday in August.
History: Founded by the Normans, it was a fief for several noble families including the Conclubert (to 1678), the Acquaviva d’Aragona and the Caracciolo di Gioiosa. It became a commune in 1811. In 1928, it formed part of the new commune of Dasa but became an autonomous commune in its own right a year later.
Major earthquakes struck in 1783, 1791, 1905, 1908, 1947, and 1975.
Historic Population Figures: 2,194(1861); 2,711(1901); 3,115(1921); 4,327(1951); 3,293(1981); 3,046 (2001).
Events: Feast of the Vijuazzu (pannocchia)- August.
Feast of the Curuijcchia (a local cake-dessert)- December.
Annual embroidery show- August.
Recreation:
Economy: The territory is principally agricultural, with much of the land devoted to vast olive groves, grain fields and vineyards. The chief non-agricultural industry is the production of perfume.
Acquavella (SA): A frazione (alt. 230 m.) in the commune of Casal Velino (SA). It is located in the S. Cilento, to the right of the torrent il Fiumicello at the S. foot of M. Forma (alt. 442 m).
Points of Interest: It contains an interesting church.
Acquavella, Dukes of:
- Michele Sanfelice (1) 1734-1766
- Giuseppe Sanfelice (1) 1766-1813
- Michele Sanfelice (2) 1813-1854
- Giuseppe Sanfelice (2) 1854-1859
- Francesco Paolo Sanfelice 1859-1884
- Gustavo Sanfelice 1884-1946
Acquaviva: One of the seven Great Houses of the Kingdom of Naples. Originating in Germany, they were related to the Dukes of Bayer. Coming to Italy in 10th century, they originally centered themselves in and around the Marquisate of Ancona. Under the Swabian-Hohenstaufen dynasty, they acquired several feudal holding in the Abruzzi, including Acquaviva Collecroce (now in Campobasso province, Molise), from which they took their surname. The Sicilian branch of the family survived until 1650, when it was absorbed into the San Framondo family. The Acquaviva della Ratta branch, which held the title of Counts of Caserta, died out in 1511. The Acquaviva- Concublet branch (Marquises of Arena) survived until 1708. The Acquaviva branch which held the titles of the Princes of Caserta and Marquis of Bellante became extinct in 1635, while those who held the title of Dukes of Atri were absorbed into the Strozzi. At the height of their power, the Acquaviva held many fiefs including:
Baronies: Basciano, Bisenti, Cermignano, Corropoli, Castel del Monte, Castrogerardo, Cellino, Colonnella, Forcella, Montesilvano, Montefusco, Montone, Montemaiella, Montebello, Montepagano, Raiano, Rapino, Ripattone, Rocca Santa Maria, Roseto, Sant’Omero, Rocchetta, Sant’Egidio, San Vito, Tortoreto, Scorrano.
Counties: Capestrano, Conversano, Giulianova, Montorio (1383), Palena (1467).
Duchies: Atri.
Princedoms: Caserta (1579], Teramo (1484).
Over the centuries the Acquaviva family produced many great statesmen, ecclesiastical leaders, and military figures.
Acquaviva, Andrea Matteo: (b. 1456, 1458, or 1460 in Naples; d. 1528 or 1529). 8th Duke of Atri. Scholar and patron of letters. In 1486, he was one of the leaders of a conspiracy of Neapolitan barons against the Aragonese dynasty. When the plot collapsed, he received a pardon and later became Grand Seneschal of the Kingdom of Naples. During the war between France and Spain for control of Naples, he changed sides several times before finally becoming a partisan of the French. For this, he was taken prisoner by the Spanish captain Gonsalvo da Cordova. Transported to Spain, he was soon freed thanks to the efforts of his younger brother Belisario. Allowed to retain his fortune, he now devoted himself to literary pursuits. Although he produced at least one book of his own (a commentary on the Latin translation of Plutarch’s Morals), he was better known as a patron to other writers.