Origin of the name Acquedolci
Various hypotheses have tried to explain the origin of such a particular name.
A first hypothesis suggests that the name Acquedolci is linked to the fresh water from the drains of the mills who processed the sugar cane in Arab era in this territory. This hypothesis is the basis of the creation of the municipal coat of arms. However, today it is believed that the origin of the name Acquedolci is even older.
A second hypothesis places the origin of the name in Roman times: Cicero in book VII of the Verrine speaks of the commercial port and military force of Apollonia, the Carricatorum Aquarium Dulcium, through which Apollonia supplied the Romans with food and lived from the trade of local products. Since Apollonia is the ancient name of San Fratello, it is believed that the port arose right under the ruins of the current castle of Acquedolci, near the outlet of the waters of the Favara stream to the sea.
Another hypothesis connects the name of < em>Acquedolci to the Aeneid: Acquedolci is identified as one of the many beaches where Aeneas lands during his pilgrimage across the Mediterranean and the area is referred to as the house of the nymphs because, near of a cave, sweet waters flow.
The last hypothesis is legendary in nature. According to legend, copious underground rivers flow under the territory of Acquedolci, due to the frequent landslides of Mount San Fratello. These rivers would emerge a few miles from the coast, making the sea water sweet and drinkable. This characteristic was exploited, according to legend, by the ancient Romans who, during the Punic wars, quenched their thirst by drawing water directly from the sea, thus avoiding going down to the mainland. The presence of underground rivers seems to have been confirmed by recent underground investigations.
