This is the first place where Saint Marino stopped, on his way up from Rimini along the Marecchia river in search of peace and solitude. The name derives from the spring waters with which, according to tradition, the saint baptised the first 53 Christians belonging to the family of Donna Felicissima. The Corte di Stirvano, which is part of the present territory of Acquaviva, is mentioned in the oldest document preserved in the State Archives, the Placito Feretrano of 885. The Montecerreto path crosses the park of the same name, which includes the archaeological area where the ruins of the ancient castle were found.
The territory of Acquaviva Castle covers an area of 4.86 square kilometres. The Castle Council is made up of five members in addition to the Castle Captain. The symbol of Acquaviva Castle is the Montecerreto Park, from which one can admire a splendid landscape towards the Adriatic Coast on one side and the mountainous part of Montefeltro on the other. The economy of this Castle is mainly based on industry, particularly real estate, IT and business services, manufacturing and trade. In the territory of Acquaviva there are the Slaughterhouse and the Public Veterinary Centre, the Milk Station, a Nursery School, a Primary School, the playground-pole. There are also some sports facilities such as the bowling alley and the shooting range, located in Cà Martino. The latter is an avant-garde facility capable of hosting international level events. In addition, there is a new football field with synthetic ground of the latest generation managed by the San Marino Football Federation, built in 2018 to replace the old field built in the 70s. In the downstream part of Acquaviva, called Gualdicciolo, there is a beautiful bike path that runs along the entire San Marino stream, connecting to a part of the San Marino Castle and ending in the Chiesanuova Castle.
Below are 2 routes that cross Acquaviva Castle:
Titan Way
Thematic Itinerary no. 5
Gorgascura Path
Length: 5 km
Walking time: 2 hours/2 and 30 minutes
Thematic itinerary no. 5 allows you to explore an unusual and little-known part of the territory.
The route starts from the ancient location of Fontevivo, near the locality of Molarini, which has an excellent parking area and is easy to reach; it runs along the San Marino torrent following the future cycle path, on the riverbed, and enters the area of the Gessi di Acquaviva to then descend near the Masso and the Borgo di Pietraminuta. The ring presents magnificent natural and agricultural peculiarities, crossing the ancient villages of the countryside, today small residential centres.
The route is fairly demanding given its length.
Titan Way
Thematic itinerary no. 7
Monte Cerreto Path
Length: about 1.5 km
Walking time: 30 minutes
Also suitable for those with mobility problems
Itinerary no. 7, which develops in the heart of the park of Monte Cerreto, is a simple route, without any particular difficulty, with little difference in height and easy to reach, suitable for educational tours for school groups or activities linked to the project "San Marino for All". Together with the nearby presence of the San Marino Adventures park, the easy accessibility, the quiet nature, the ruins of the castle where the Placito Feretrano was signed, the view of the historical centre of San Marino City, of the Sacello del Santo and of Montefeltro are the perfect characteristics to carry out cultural and inclusion activities, linked to the discovery of the territory and of the history of the Republic of San Marino.
Acquaviva Castle has played a major role in the history of the Republic. Tradition has it that the Saint entered the territory from here and baptised the newborns with the fresh and pure water of the spring that gushes out at the foot of Montecerreto. Even the Placito Feretrano, the important document on which the Republic has historically relied to legitimise its atavistic independence, has its origins in this Castle. In fact, it was stipulated in 885 within the walls of the small fortress on the summit of Montecerreto. Today that castle no longer exists, but the lush and intact natural park that the San Marino people simply call La Pineta remains as a reminder of that ancient lineage.
Piazza Castello di Monteceretto, 1 - 47892 Acquaviva (RSM)
0549 999208