The Legend of Acquaviva: where history meets mystery in the heart of Tuscany

In Tuscany, a land of medieval villages and rolling hills that look like Renaissance paintings, every place tells a story. Yet few are as captivating as the Legend of Acquaviva, which has accompanied travelers for centuries on their way to Casole d’Elsa, just a short distance from Siena.

It is said that during the fierce battles between Guelphs and Ghibellines, a weary knight from Siena was returning from Volterra. Exhausted by thirst under the burning Tuscan sun, he collapsed from his horse on a barren land with no water in sight. At the very moment when hope seemed lost, something miraculous happened: the Virgin Mary appeared. With a simple, graceful gesture, she touched a rock, and from it gushed forth a spring of crystal-clear water.

The knight drank, regained his strength, and continued his journey. Word of the miracle spread quickly, and the spring soon became a place of rest, devotion, and pilgrimage. Over the centuries, the faithful erected first a tabernacle and later, in the 18th century, a small chapel that still preserves the memory of that apparition.

Where to find the miraculous spring

The spring that inspired the legend lies in Località Acquaviva, Casole d’Elsa (Siena) , along the ancient Traversa Maremmana road. Here, among golden fields and quiet country lanes, you can still feel the atmosphere of a place suspended between faith and nature. The 18th-century chapel recalls the miracle, while the water still flows pure and refreshing — a timeless symbol of renewal.

Acquaviva today: a stay between legend and hospitality

The very name Acquaviva evokes living water, renewal, and a bridge between past and present. Visiting this area means immersing yourself in authentic Tuscany, where every hill tells a story, every stone whispers secrets, and every walk becomes a journey back in time.

Staying at the Relax Hotel Acquaviva, you can experience this legend first-hand. Just steps from our hotel, the spring still flows hidden among the Tuscan countryside, waiting to be discovered. Imagine a stroll to the ancient chapel, a glass of wine at sunset, and the peaceful silence of the rolling hills embracing you.

Here, your holiday is not just a stay: it’s an unforgettable journey between history, mystery, and well-being — an experience that will remain in your heart like the water of the legend itself: pure, eternal, unforgettable.