Holiday apartment in Ascoli Piceno: Travertine, history and trails

Ascoli Piceno combines a historic travertine centre with Roman traces, medieval ecclesiastical architecture and trails through the diverse landscape southwest of the city. The Piazza del Popolo had already acquired its present regular appearance in the first years of the 16th century. A few steps away stands the Loggia dei Mercanti, a 16th-century building in the Bramante style next to the Church of San Francesco.

Culture

San Francesco is an imposing example of Gothic architecture; its construction lasted from 1258 to 1549. The church also commemorates Saint Francis of Assisi’s visit to Ascoli Piceno in 1215. Piazza Arringo forms the civic and religious centre of the city. It is also home to the Baptistery of San Giovanni, an important example of Romanesque architecture that preserves its original round baptismal font for baptism by immersion. The cathedral stands on the site of a Roman public building, while its crypt preserves the saint’s relics.

The long history of Ascoli Piceno reaches back to antiquity. Asculum, ancient Ascoli Piceno, came into contact with Rome through trade along the later Via Salaria even before the alliance with the Piceni in 299 BC. The Roman theatre was excavated between 1932 and 1959 and remains under excavation. The Ponte Augusteo is a Roman bridge from the 1st century BC over the River Tronto. Following restoration work in the 1930s, it can be crossed through its interior. At the Porta Gemina, remains of Roman walls made of opus reticulatum have been preserved.

The Museo Archeologico Statale di Ascoli Piceno presents collections ranging from prehistory through Picenian culture to the Roman era. It is located in a traffic-restricted zone that cannot be accessed by private car all the way to the entrance; the nearest car parks at Piazza della Viola and Porta Torricella are subject to charges. Another historic site is Forte Malatesta, a restored Renaissance fortification associated with Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. The Museo dell’Alto Medioevo in the fort displays valuable grave goods from the Lombard necropolis of Castel Trosino. The Museo dell'Arte Ceramica has a well-equipped workshop with a potter’s wheel and kilns.

Trails and landscape

The Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani begins and ends in Ascoli Piceno and can be completed on foot or by bicycle. About 80 percent of the route follows historic paths and mule tracks. The circular route connects Ascoli Piceno with the diverse landscape southwest of the city. This means that, within the same destination, short routes through the historic centre exist alongside a longer connection through the surrounding area.

Walking tours are well suited to visiting Ascoli Piceno, as the distances within the city are short. In addition, a municipal cycle and pedestrian path was planned partly through a river landscape of high scenic value. Another cycle path project is intended to connect Ascoli Piceno with the coast via the Tronto Valley. Both projects retain their planned or proposed character, whereas the Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani is described as a route that can be completed on foot or by bicycle.

Cuisine and festivals

Local traditions are also part of the character of Ascoli Piceno. In the 19th century, a meat-filled speciality acquired the form known today and became a symbol of conviviality in Ascoli. Anisetta Meletti is a natural liqueur made by distilling aniseed and aromatic spices according to an original recipe from 1870.

The Quintana di Ascoli Piceno includes a historic procession and a jousting tournament at Campo de' Giochi. Its traditional programme includes jousting tournaments in July and August. Thus, throughout the year, historical pageantry, sacred buildings, Roman remains and regional products come together.

Other destinations:Castignano, Castorano, Colli Del Tronto, Montedinove, Montelparo, Monteprandone, Offida, Pedaso, San Benedetto Del Tronto, Amandola, Lisciano, Massignano, Cupra Marittima, Monsampolo Del Tronto, Montefiore Dell'aso, Ripatransone, Folignano, Ascoli Piceno, Ponzano, Castel Di Lama, Grottammare, Pastina, Comunanza, Acquaviva Picena, Campolungo, Carassai, Centobuchi, Montecchio, Vallefusella, Force, Arquata Del Tronto, Spinetoli, Montemonaco, Cossignano, Rotella, Venagrande, Colle San Marco, Acquasanta Terme, Marsia, Porchia, Balzo, Piane Vecchie, Abetito, Uscerno, Venarotta, Montalto delle Marche, Capradosso, Illice, San Silvestro, Il Palazzo, Appignano del Tronto, Roccafluvione.

To the higher-level travel overview: Marche.