San Guido

(Melazzo, 1004 – Acqui 1070) -

Born into an upper class family, he studied in Bologna. When he returned to Acqui, the Bishop Dudone invited him to choose priesthood which he did, and in 1034 he was chosen as his successor. It is to him whom we owe the completion of the Cathedral that was consecrated in 1067 and dedicated to the Maria Assunta. He destined the family’s heritage to the numerous needs of the local Church, founded the women’s monastery of Santa Maria in campis and expanded with considerable donations the local Abbey of San Pietro. He was the initiator of the Gregorian reform which was brought about in all the diocese.

Ginevra Giovanna Maria Scatilazzi

(16th century) –

Daughter of Doctor Bartolomeo Scatilazzi, she studied Latin and Canon laws.

On the 8^th May 1538, she made a public greeting in elegant Latin to the Pope, Paolo III during his stay in Acqui. The Pope would never have imagined something similar occurring in a provincial town, in a cluster of houses situated around the cathedral, scalded by the vapours of the sulphurous water, that a young girl could stand up to him on royalties and Decretals.

He said, of course, in the language of Caesar: Aquis tria mirabilia vidi: aquas bullentes, herbas circa eas virentes, et mulierem sapientem: “In Acqui I witnessed three miracles: the boiling hot waters, the green areas around them, and a very wise woman”.

Giuseppe Saracco

(Bistagno, 1821 – 1907) –

Giuseppe Saracco graduated in Law at Turin University, and was voted at the subalpine Parliament for the first time in 1851. In 1865 he was named Senator of the Reign of Italy. He undertook government tasks, in 1887 he was Minister of the public works department, and in 1898 President of the Senate and in 1900 he became Prime Minister. It was said that he was “King for a day” as in virtue of his assignment he acquired all powers, even those expected for a Sovereign, after the regicide of Monza 29^th July 1900. He was also Mayor of Acqui for two long periods, from 1858 to 1867 and from 1872 to 1889. Among the many enterprises he supported we must mention the reactivation and development of the Terme, the establishment of the children’s nursery, the creation of the Popolare of Acqui Bank, the realization of the new hospital and the elementary school buildings. Thanks to his influence the railway lines for Savona, Genoa and Asti were also completed.

Giacomo Bove

(Maranzana, 1852 – Verona 1887)

Giacomo Bove joined the Italian Navy at a very young age and stood out during the Governolo expedition in the seas of the Eastern 1873-74.

In 1878 he represented Italy in the Nordenskjold expedition, aimed at fulfilling the passing of NE with the ship Vega. After contracting a terrible fever during a trip to Congo, he sadly committed suicide in Verona at the age of 35.

The statue in his honour is placed in the Castle’s park in front of the Railway station, and was designed by Eugenio Barone. It presents the terrible struggle fought against the Nordic storms

Maggiorino Ferraris

(Acqui, 1856 – Rome 1929)

On many occasions he was a Member of Parliament, and from November 1913 he was Senator of the reign of Italy, and Minister of the Posts and Telegraphs from 1893 till 1896.

A brilliant writer and, at the same time a worthy economist, with subtle sociological insights.

He was Editor of the Nuova Antologia, carrying out personal investigations, even abroad on the most heterogeneous subjects: labour, public services, communications, agriculture (especially concerned with the south of Italy), economic housing and public schools.

Guido Ivaldi, Viganò,

(Acqui, 1900 – San Dalmazzo di Tenda 1944) –

A partisan Commander, sadly tortured and shot on the 6th July 1944.

Luigi Facelli

(Acqui, 1898 – 1991)

He was one of the greatest Italian 400 metre hurdlers, he won the Italian championship and was the record holder for an incredible 27 years, from 1923 till 1950. In 1929, he equalled the European record and represented Italy 4 times participating at four Olympic games. Memorable were his races with Lord Burghley, a grand British hurdler, champion and Olympic champion in Amsterdam. The “Lord and the pauper” as they were renamed, raced 11 times with the local Acquese winning 6 of the contests.

We must mention that the city has always produced a high level of sportsmen, from the ex-boxer Olympic Champion Franco Musso, to the tennis-player Cristiano Caratti, to the footballer Enzo Biato to the basketball player Riccardo Caneva.