Ascoli Piceno

Pictures by by Fabrizio Fiorenzano – Words by italia.it

Whether it’s a port of call on your journey down the coastline of Le Marche or your preferred destination for a city break, Ascoli Piceno is a place where the history, art, food and wine are some of the best you’ll find in Italy.

Maybe it’s the small and compact historic centre, or maybe the old travertine buildings, but Ascoli Piceno has truly preserved the unparalleled charm of the idealised Italian village where time seems to have stopped. The town is full of elegant, stately squares and historic churches full of hidden treasures, their towers and belfries dotted across the skyline. Here in Ascoli Piceno, you can’t fail to be entranced by the local culture and history.

History and interesting facts

The history of Ascoli Piceno is steeped in ancient origins. Although findings indicate that the area was already inhabited in the Neolithic era, it was in the 3rd century BC that the Romans settled in the Picenian territory, thus making Asculum a key centre, also thanks to its position on the Via Salaria. The city has seen many and varied happenings over the centuries, but the Roman period was synonymous with great prosperity for Ascoli Piceno and the whole of the Marche region.

Ascoli Piceno was dominated by various seigniories, the Malatesta and Sforza to name but a few, and was in the possession of the Papal State until the middle of the 19th century.

The city was awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valour for partisan activity (2001) thanks to the pivotal role of the Ascolan resistance in September 1943 against the German occupation.

What to see in Ascoli Piceno:

Where do you start to draw up a list of the monuments in Ascoli Piceno that you absolutely must visit? It’s not easy. In a melting pot of art, culture, architecture, food and wine, there are so many things to see.

Among them, Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Arringo. Palazzo dei Capitani with its medieval crenellated tower, is an architectural symbol of the entire city. Our recommendation for museums is the Civic Picture Gallery housed in Palazzo Arringo, where you can admire works by, among many others, Turner, Morelli, Palazzi, Celentano, Pellizza da Volpedo, and De Carolis.

Be sure to make a stop at the historic Cafe Meletti, which has always been considered the meeting place of the most illustrious personalities, as well as a venue for culture and social life. It’s a good idea to try anisette, a typical liqueur made from green aniseed.

But it doesn’t end here; the Roman bridge, Forte Malatesta, the cathedral of San Emidio, the church of San Francesco and the Papal Paper mill with its museums are also not to be missed.

What to do in Ascoli Piceno

Art and culture are not the only things to live for: to make the most of your time in Ascoli Piceno, there are many activities you can plan. Walking tours are perfect for exploring the city, due to the short distances. However, you can also hire a bike from the Tourist Information Office in Piazza Arringo, or take the tourist train.

For food and wine enthusiasts, cooking classes and wine tastings are held almost daily, bringing together the benefits of learning secrets and traditions with those of pleasure.

If you want to see the city from a different perspective, a good tip is to take a stroll along the Via delle Stelle at sunset.

Photos by Fabrizio Fiorenzano
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