Acquaviva, Troiano (or Traiano): (b. Jan. 15 or 16, 1695, Naples. d. March 20, 1747, Rome). Ecclesiastic. A member of the Atri Ducal branch of the Acquaviva family, he entered the service of the Church. In January, 1721, he became Vice-legate in Ferrara. Later that same year he was appointed Governor of Ancona. Over the next few years he held the positions of Cleric of the Apostolic Chamber, Referendary of the Supreme Tribunals of the Apostolic Signature of Justice and of Grace, and Protonotary apostolic. On April 17, 1729, he was ordained a priest and, on the following day, was elected titular bishop of Filippopolidi Arabia (consecrated on May 3, 1729 at Benevento by Pope Clement XI). During that same year he also received the appointments of Prefect of the Papal Household (May 14), Assistant at the Pontifical Throne (June 25), and Prefect of the Apostolic Palace (July 6). On August 14, 1730, he was promoted to the titular see of Larissa. On Oct. 1, 1732, he was created a Cardinal priest in the Consistory, receiving the red hat and the title of SS. Quirico e Giulita on November 17, 1732 (on January 13, 1733, he opted for the title of S. Cecilia). In 1734, he was employed as Ambassador of Spain before the Holy See by the Kings of Spain, Philip V and Charles III. In 1738, he became Protector of Naples and Sicily, and, in 1743, was appointed Protector of Spain. At the request of the Spanish King Charles III, he was appointed as Archbishop of Toledo. After serving for a time in this see, he received the post of Archbishop of Monreale (Sicily) (March 4, 1739). On August 17, 1740, he played an important role at the conclave in which Benedict XIV was elected Pope. His last appointment was as Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals (February 3, 1744). He was a loyal supporter of Charles III of Naples, and, in 1741, served that king as representative to the papal court in peace talks.
Acquaviva, Monte (CH): A mountain (2,737 m.) in the northern part of the Maiella.
Acquaviva Collecroce (CB)(Croatian: Zivavoda-Kruc): A commune of Molise, in the province of Campobasso.
Region: Molise. Province: Campobasso.
Elevation: 425 m. Area: 28.50 km². Population: 754 (2006e); 800 (2001). Population Density: 28.1/km² (2001).
Coordinates: Lat. 41°52’1″N/Long. 14°44’53″E.
Location & Setting: Located 56 km N of Campobasso, it is situated on a hill between the basins of the rivers Trigno and Biferno. Part of the Comunità Montana Monte Mauro.
Tel. Prefix: 0875. Postal Code: 86030.
Population Designation: .
Patron Saint (s): San Michele. Feast Day: Sept. 29.
History: Although the site appears to have been inhabited in ancient times, the earliest remains are of medieval date. During the 12th century it came under the control of the Knights of Malta. From 1446 to 1553 it was a possession of the Cantelmo family. The present commune was founded in the 16th century (1561/2) by a colony of Croatian refugees fleeing from the Turkish conquerors of their Balkan homeland. Judging from the peculiarities in the surviving dialect of the inhabitants, it is believed that the original settlers came from the Dalmatian hinterland in the Neretva area (present-day Bosnia-Herzegovina).
A major earthquake struck in 1984.
Historic Population Figures: 1,777(1861); 2,212(1901); 2,017(1921); 2,250(1951); 1,017(1981); 883 (1991); 800(2001).
Famous Natives & Residents:
Points of Interest: The modern population of the commune still retains traces of the language, customs, and costumes of the original Croatian settlers. It is the largest of the 3 Slavic-speaking communes in Molise (the others being Montemitro and San Felice).
Historical Sites and Monuments: The Casa di Riposo is also of interest.
Churches and Religious Sites: The principal monument is the church of S. Maria Ester, constructed in the late 16th century by the Knights of Malta. Reconstructed in 1715, the principal treasures are a pair of statues depicting S. Michele Arcangelo and the Concezione, both by Paolantonio di Zinno.
The church of Santa Giusta, located in the countryside near the center, was a place of refuge for local shepherds.
Events: Festa del Maja- May 1. A survival from ancient times, the festival is meant as a request for a good harvest. As part of the ritual a fantoccio (puppet) is carried along the along the rural roads to the accompaniment of choral songs.
Festival of S. Michele- Sept 29.
The Smarceka– Christmas time. This Slavic rite involves the lighting of a torch which is then a huge tree trunk near the door of the parish church.
Economy: Agriculture.
Acquaviva delle Fonti (BA): A commune in the province of Bari.
Region: Puglia. Province: Bari.
Elevation: 300 m. Area: 130.98 km². Population: 21,340 (2007e); 21,478 (2006e); 21,613 (2001). Population Density: /km² ().
Coordinates: Lat. 40°53’55″N/Long. 16°50’35″E.
Location & Setting: Located 28 km. S of Bari, it is situated on a high terrace in the Murge. The city’s name means “water of the fountain,” deriving from the locally abundant sub-surface water supply. Part of the Comunità Montana Murgia Barese Sud-Est. Part of the Regione Agraria n. 6 – Murge di Castellana.
Tel. Prefix: 080. Postal Code: 70021.
Population Designation: Acquavivesi.
Patron Saint (s): Maria SS. Di Costantinopoli. Feast Day: 1st Tuesday in March.
History: The first mention of Acquaviva dates from the end of the 7th century AD, although it may have been founded as early as the 6th century. Twice sacked by the Saracens, it attained a degree of importance during the time of the Normans. It was held as a fief by several notable families and individuals: the Del Balzo, the Acquaviva d’Aragona (counts of Conversano), Prospero Colonna (1st part of the 16th century), and the Spinelli (1614). It became the property (with the accompanying title of Prince) of the De Mari family in 1664. In 1799, its citizens made a valiant, but futile, effort to defend their town from the army of Cardinal Ruffo. When it fell, the Cardinal’s troops brutally sacked the center.
Thanks in large part to the fertility of its soil and the abundant water supply Acquaviva remained prosperous during the 19th century. In the 20th century, Acquaviva’s economy was greatly affected by the jobs created for the construction of the Edificio Monumentale (1909-1915).
After World War II, the economy received another boost by the enlargement and modernization of the hospital.
Major earthquakes struck in 1694, 1731, 1857, 1905, 1930, and 1980.
Historic Population Figures: 6,776(1861); 11,113(1901); 10,848 (1921); 14,125(1951); 18,390(1981); 21,613 (2001).
Points of Interest: Acquaviva is the location for one of southern Italy’s most important private hospitals.
The Mercadente Forest (258 acres) is located 14 km to the W.
Recently, researchers have discovered a nearby cave with evidence of Paleolithic habitation.
Historical Sites and Monuments: The 17th century Baroque Municipio, formerly the Palazzo dei Principi, was built by the noble De Mari family on the site of an old Norman castle. It consists of about 300 rooms of various sizes and functions. Crowning its loggia are a row of decorative niches and masks spanning the length of the façade. Two towers of the former castle still survive.
Churches and Religious Sites: The original 12th century Romanesque Duomo was founded by the Norman king Roger II. The present structure, a beautiful model of late-Renaissance architecture, dates of the 15th/ 16th century. It is one of the four Palatine Basilicas of Apulia. The building has a bipartite façade inset with an elegant rose window and prominent pilasters. The triangular pediment is topped by statues of the Madonna and Child at the apex and of statues of saints at the ends. Of the original Romanesque building little survives except some freestanding columns with bases carved as lions, supporting a damaged pediment over the tall central door. In the lunette is a bas-relief of St. Eustace with a stag. The interior is decorated with rich stucco work and gilding.
Events: Feast of Maria SS. Di Costantinopoli– 1st Tuesday in March. The celebration includes fireworks displays.
Sagra della cipolla (Feast of the Onion)- October. The celebrations include the tasting of locally made delicacy, calzone, a cake stuffed with red onions.
Economy: The territory is agricultural, devoted to the cultivation of wine-grapes, olives, fruits, vegetables and almonds. The city is a center for distilling.
Acquaviva d’Isernia (IS): A commune in the province of Isernia.
Area: 13.73 km². Alt. 730 m. CAP: 86080. Tel. Pref.: 0865. Geographical Coordinates: Lat 41°40’23″16 N/Long 14°8’59″28 E. Population Information: 468 (2006e); 468 (2001); 531 (1991). % Change in Population from 1991 to 2001: . Population Density (2001): / km². Inhabitants Designation: .
Location & Setting: Located 18 km. NW of Isernia, it is situated on a hill to the right of the torrent Rio (Volturno). Part of the Comunità Montana del Volturno.
Economy: Although agriculture still plays a vital economic role, the commune also is a center for animal husbandry (goats) and forestry. Tourism is now also becoming an increasing important factor.
Historic Population Figures: 713(1861); 765(1901); 838(1921); 749(1951); 585(1981); 468(2001).
History: Although the origins of the center are uncertain, archaeological evidence suggests that it has existed at least since the time of the ancient Samnites.
During the 20th century the town’s population was severely reduced due to emigration.
Major earthquakes struck in 1456, 1805, 1925, and 1984.
Points of Interest: To the N of the center stands the church of Madonna d’Assunta.
The Parish Church of S. Anastasio Martire.
Other churches include those of S. Maria Asunta and the Oratory of Santa Maria Rosaria.
There is an interesting castle.
Culture & Religion: Patron Saint(s): Sant’Anastasio (FD- 21/22 Jan).
Festival of S. Anastasio– evening of January 21/22. The ceremonies include the lighting of a big bonfire which is kept burning throughout the night. A procession follows and traditional stories are recited.