The village
A medieval Orange Flag village at 365 metres, between the Palm Riviera and the Sibillini mountains. This is where the house is, and where Emma lives: here is what we love about it.
A fortress telling eight centuries of history, a country craft that lives on, a festival that every summer takes the village back to the Middle Ages.
Since the 14th century
Built in the 14th century by the Acquaviva family and rebuilt in 1474 to a design by Baccio Pontelli, it is one of the best-preserved fortresses in Le Marche. The cylindrical keep is about 22 metres high; the courtyard still has its well, and the halls house museum spaces. In summer it is the stage for Sponsalia.
The village craft
These are the woven wheat-straw baskets typical of Acquaviva, made with a technique handed down from generation to generation. The village has a museum dedicated to them, and the Laboratorio Terraviva association, of which Emma is vice-president, keeps the craft alive with courses and events.
Every August since 1988
Every year in early August (6 to 9 August in 2026) the village re-enacts the 1234 wedding of Forasteria d’Acquaviva and Rainaldo di Brunforte: the historical parade in medieval dress, the Palio del Duca, a banquet in the torch-lit fortress and, to close, the burning of the fortress with fireworks. Emma has walked in the parade for years, and she painted the banner for the 2026 edition.
Orange Flag
Walls encircle the whole historic centre, entered through four gates. At its heart is Piazza San Nicolò, with its 16th-century church and civic tower; nearby, the church of San Lorenzo with its 17th-century altarpiece. Just outside, the 13th-century convent of San Francesco.
From the village the sea is fifteen minutes away, cities of art and mountains an easy day trip.
Beaches, seafront promenade and railway station.
Old hilltop quarter and beach.
Travertine old town and Piazza del Popolo.
Trails and mountain villages, for a day trip.
The house is at Via del Cavaliere 45, in the heart of the historic centre, between Porta Nova and the Tassotti gardens: 50 metres from the square, with the osterias and the fortress a short walk away.
The most convenient car park is on Via Colle Cimino, just outside the old walls: from there it is a couple of minutes on foot to the house.
Tap an item to see the route on Google Maps.
A14 motorway, San Benedetto del Tronto exit, then about 15 minutes to Acquaviva Picena. Park on Via Colle Cimino.
San Benedetto del Tronto station (7 km), then taxi or bus.
Abruzzo Airport in Pescara (76 km) or Marche Airport in Ancona (about 100 km).
