Visit Ascoli Piceno
Ascoli-Piceno is located at the southern end of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, in an attractive setting surrounded by mountains and designated natural parcs.
With roots dating back well before the Romans (the name comes from the Piceni tribe who once occupied this spot), there is a very pleasant walled town to discover, with an attractive and interesting medieval centre, based around Piazza del Popolo. The town is also known for its towers, of which more than 50 remain from the original 200.
Ascoli-Piceno town centre
The Piazza del Popolo has been at the centre of the town for at least 2000 years, and many of the buildings are constructed in marble (known as travertino). The square itself includes two particular highlights - the Palazzo del Capitani del Popolo (1545) and, at the northern edge, the San Francesco church. The Palazzo is a particularly fine (simple design with an ornate entry and an oversized clock) building. The lower, simpler, arcaded buildings on the other side of the square are, in their own way, equally impressive. Close by also is the 16th century trading centre, the Loggia del Mercanti.
Head west and north along the Via delle Torri towards the Trento river to explore the medieval centre of the town - the highlight of Ascoli-Piceno, with its unspoiled 13th-14th streets lined with ancient houses and sophisticated shops, and the occasional church.
There are also a couple of small interesting temples in Ascoli-Piceno - the Sant'Emidio alle Grotte, with a baroque facade built against the rockface, and the Sant'Emidio Rosso, an octagonal red tower.
Keep going as far as the river to see a particularly impressive Roman bridge. There are also a few other Roman remnants to be seen in the town including a washhouse.
Rest and relaxation
Time for a rest' Head for the Caffe Melletti, and choose whether to sit in the beautiful art nouveau interior or under the frescoed arches outside.
If your visit includes the second saturday in July or the first sunday in August, a splendid historical recreation known as the Quintina takes over the town, and you can watch a traditional jousting tournament.