A bit of history
In the long history of Acquasanta, going back in time to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the information office was the hub of tourist and thermal life in the main town and the entire surrounding area, when the Municipal Administration promoted initiatives during the thermal season (May-November). In support of this, in the 2nd Volume by Virgilio Cognoli, the Municipality’s need to enliven the stay of those seeking treatment is highlighted. Therefore, in a heated City Council meeting, with Councilors from the fractions opposing the proposal of Acquasanta’s Palombini, it was decided to establish a Philharmonic suitable for the purpose.
From this, the city’s Music Band was born, financed by the Municipality until the beginning of the 20th century, which continued to promote events for those seeking treatment until the 1980s, when it allocated funds for some concerts during the thermal season in the garden in front of the Hotel Italia. Just after World War II, the Acquasanta City Council, to balance the budget, sold the Thermal Baths to the pharmaceutical company ANGELINI-FERRANTI, and tourism promotion was taken over by a parastatal entity financed by the Ministry of Health, namely the AUTONOMOUS AGENCY FOR TREATMENT AND STAY, which provided in thermal cities, precisely, to take care of both advertising, tourist information and the cultural aspect, entertainment and shows organized throughout the year and especially during the treatment period.
In the 1990s, the Treatment and Stay Agencies were abolished, and the Municipality, with limited state resources, decided to directly manage tourism in collaboration with the regional APT body.
Thus, in Acquasanta, the Mayor at the time, Dr. Roberto Albanesi, and the Tourism Councilor Giuseppe Parlamenti decided to promote the establishment of a non-profit organization, following the model of associations already existing in the Piceno territory. The Pro Loco of Acquasanta was born, which was named, with the founding act of February 10, 1995, drawn up by Dr. Dante Flaiani, Notary in Ascoli Piceno, “TOURIST ASSOCIATION PRO ACQUASANTA TERME” which deals, in collaboration with the Tourism Department of the Municipality, with the management of the information office and entertainment initiatives.
The Municipal Administration, by stipulating an annual Convention with the Association, provides a contribution for its operation, which lately, due to government cuts and the stability pact for Municipalities, has been lacking.
The founding members of the Pro Loco are: Giuseppe Parlamenti – President, Marconi Filippo – Vice President, Scancella Salvatore – Vice President, Sabatini Edoardo – Secretary, Paddeu Fausto – Treasurer, Councilors: Amici Francesco, Giorgi Luana, Masci Concetta. On March 15, 1995, the Statute of the Tourist Association Pro Acquasanta Terme is signed by the same founders before Notary Dr. Dante Flaiani.
In the subsequent period, the new board for the first three-year term 1995-1998 is elected by the Assembly of members, about 250, composed as follows: PRESIDENT: ALLEVI CARMINE, VICE PRESIDENT: MARCONI FILIPPO, SECRETARY: SABATINI EDOARDO, TREASURER: PADDEU FAUSTO: COUNCILORS: PIERMARINI SALVATORE, FRATINI FABIO, PROSPERI ALBO, CELANI NAZZARENO, SCANCELLA SALVATORE.