Acqui

Acqui lies on the Bormida amid the hills of Montferrat. Its hot sulphur springs were already celebrated when the Romans called the town Aquae Statiellae; remains of an ancient Roman aqueduct stand near the river. Its bishop exercised rule from 978, and the town later became an independent commune before joining the Marquisate of Montferrat in 1278.

A Jewish community settled in Acqui in the course of the fifteenth century. The Gonzaga rulers of Montferrat protected it in some circumstances, refusing a papal order to confiscate the Talmud in 1553. Restrictions nevertheless followed: from 1570 Jews were required to wear a yellow badge, and public appearances on certain feast days were forbidden. Acqui later passed with its wider territory to the House of Savoy.