Lu Vurghe - Acquasanta Terme

About Lu Vurghe - Acquasanta Terme

Acquasanta Terme is a village in the Tronto valley, in the province of Ascoli Piceno, which owes its name ("holy water") to the sulphurous waters known since ancient times. Here, in the open air and outside the village centre, is Lu Vurghe, a free sulphur spring that forms a natural pool much loved by locals.

The water temperature isn't very high: sources put it between 22 and 30 °C, so this is a lukewarm rather than a hot soak. The best period runs from late spring to early autumn, when the air is mild and the water feels pleasant. In winter, on the other hand, it is likely to feel rather cool.

The charm of Lu Vurghe lies in its intimate, secluded setting, far from mass tourism. The access path is short but over uneven ground, and sources point out that it can be awkward for pushchairs, wheelchairs and people with reduced mobility. For everyone else, shoes with good grip and a little care are all you need.

It's important not to confuse Lu Vurghe with the historic Grotta Sudatoria of Acquasanta, in the village centre: that Art Nouveau spa complex has been closed for years and cannot be used. Lu Vurghe, by contrast, is in the open air and freely accessible. As always, no soap, no rubbish and respect for a place that local people look after with care.

The area offers plenty of ideas for a day out: Ascoli Piceno, with its splendid Piazza del Popolo, is about twenty minutes' drive away, while the Monti della Laga and the Gran Sasso National Park are close by for keen walkers.

Acquasanta Terme was hit by the 2016 earthquake, and some parts of the area still bear the marks of those events. Visiting places like Lu Vurghe, stopping to eat in the village and buying local products is also a practical way to support a community that is working to revive its thermal and tourist heritage.