Acquaformosa (CS)
Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.
Acquaformosa (CS): A commune of Calabria, in the province of Cosenza.
Former Names (if any): (Arberesh. Firmoza, Formoza)
Region: Calabria │ Province: Cosenza.
Coordinates: Lat. 39°43’26″N/Long. 16°5’26″E.
Location/Setting: Located 71 km N of Cosenza, it is situated on the slopes of the Cozzo del Lepre, in the Mula range of mountains, in the basin of the river Esauro, on the road between Castrovillari and Belvedere Marittimo. Much of the territory is covered by vast woods and meadows. Part of the Comunità Montana del Pollino. Part of the Regione Agraria n. 2 – Versante Nord/Est della catena costiera. Part of the Parco Nazionale del Pollino.
Alt.: 756 m.
Area: 22.57 km².
Population: 1,247 (2006e)
Pop. Density: /km².
Frazioni & Localities:
CAP: 87010
Tel. Prefix: 0981
Name of Inhabitants: Acquaformositani.
Patron Saint(s): S. Giovanni Battista. Feast Day: August 24.
Economy: The commune has an abundance of copper and mercury deposits that have not been exploited.
History: The town probably received its name from the Cistercian monastery church of Santa Maria di Acquaformosa, built on the site in 1195 or 1197 by the Brahalla family of nearby Altomonte. A popular legend, however, disputes this, claiming that the town was given its name by an Albanian princess. While Irene Castriota, princess of Bisignano and the daughter of Skanderberg, was visiting the place accepted a drink from the water at the abbey (then known as Ariosa). Her exclamation of “Che acqua Formosa” (“What wonderful water”) was said to have inspired the new name. Whatever the truth, the monastic complex soon became the center for a small community of houses.
In 1501, the monastery granted land to a group of 20 Albanian families to establish a center called Firmoza. In return for this gift the settlers agreed to pay the monastery an annual rent based on population, numbers of dwellings, and amount of livestock.
Major earthquakes struck in 1887, 1905, and 1908.
Points of Interest:
Monuments: There are some ancient remains of a villa dating from the period of the Roman Empire.
Churches (& other religious sites): The Church of Santa Maria Scala Coeli was built by the Cistercians in 1227 on the site of an earlier structure. It is approached through an atrium and a 17th century carved wooden door. The interior has 3 aisles divided by pillars. There is a 16th century Renaissance oil-painted icon depicting Christ and the 12 Apostles.
The Cistercian Abbey of Santa Maria del Leucio, dating from 1500, is today in ruins.
The Byzantine Church of San Giovanni Battista was founded in 1505 to serve the new Albanian settlers. It has a 17th century wooden door decorated with carved mythical figures of sirens, winged griffons, two-headed eagles, emblems, etc. The interior contains a carved 17th century walnut wood choir and 17th century lecterns carved from chestnut. There are some 16th century tables, one depicting the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, attributed to the painter Marco Pino (1522-1579). In one of the chapels is a 16th century sculpted Madonna and Child.
The Gothic sanctuary of the Madonna del Monte (Santas Maria del Monte) dates to the late 14th / early 15th century. Among the treasures is a 15th century Gothic sculpture of the Madonna and Child. In the apse near the greater altar, there is a 16th century, oil painted table depicting the Assumption of the Virgin Mary with a Glory of Angels and Apostles, a work of Pietro Negrone. There is a fine choir of carved walnut.
In the Church of San Basilio Abate e San Benedetto are some 18th century painted tables and some fine Baroque gild-work.
In the Church of Santa Maria della Misericordia is an icon of the Teotokos created by the Greek painter Fatima Paula in 1973. The figure is decorated in silverwork by the Greek goldsmith Costapulos
The chapel of Madonna della Concezione is a largely Byzantine inspired structure. Its treasures include a 1785 fresco of the Immacolata.
The ruined 13th century oratory of San Leonardo di Sassone, contains several works of art including a 15th century fresco.
The Grotta della Madonna is so-named because of a local tradition claiming that a mysterious bust of the Virgin was discovered there.
Culture: The town still follows the Greek-Byzantine-Albanian rite, and is part of the diocese of Lungro.
Festivals/Feasts/Events: Festival of San Francesco– 2nd Sunday after Easter.
Festival and fair of the Madonna della Misericordia– last Sunday in May.
Festival of Santa Maria del Monte (Festa e Shën Mërisë së Malit)- July 20. Drawing visitors from other Albanian towns, the festival includes traditional songs, dances, and costumes.
Festival and fair of the town’s patron saint, San Giovanni Battista, occurs on the last Sunday in August.