Happy TravellerWelcome to Ascoli Piceno, a picturesque town located in the Marche region of Italy. With a population of over 45,000 people, Ascoli Piceno is the capital of its namesake province and offers visitors a rich cultural experience with its stunning architecture, delicious local cuisine, and fascinating history.
Ascoli Piceno is located at the confluence of the Tronto River and the small river Castellano, surrounded on three sides by mountains. The town is also home to two natural parks, the Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini and the Parco Nazionale dei Monti della Laga, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers.
The town has a rich history dating back to the Italic population (Piceni) who founded the town several centuries before the founding of Rome. It became a federated city with nominal independence from Rome in 268 BC and was reconquered and destroyed by Pompeius Strabo in the Battle of Asculum in 89 BC. After nearly two centuries as part of the Lombard Duchy of Spoleto (593–789), Ascoli was ruled by the Franks through their vicars, but ultimately, it was the bishops that gained influence and power over the city. In 1189, a free republican municipality was established, but internal strife led dramatically to the demise of civic values and freedom and to unfortunate ventures against neighboring enemies. This unstable situation opened the way to foreign dictatorships, like those of Galeotto I Malatesta (14th century), initially recruited as a mercenary (condottiero) in the war against Fermo, and Francesco Sforza. Sforza was ousted in 1482, but Ascoli was again compelled to submit to Papal suzerainty. In 1860 it was annexed, together with Marche and Umbria, into the newly unified Kingdom of Italy.
One of the main attractions of Ascoli Piceno is its breathtaking architecture. Many of the buildings in the central historical part of the city are built using marble called travertino, a grey-hued stone extracted from the surrounding mountains. Its central Renaissance square, Piazza del Popolo (Peoples Square) is surrounded by a number of buildings utilizing this stone, now often hosting open-air markets. A few blocks away, the Piazza Arringo, or piazza dellArengo, was the administrative and religious center of the town, surrounded by the Cathedral, the baptistery, the Bishops residence, and the Palace of the Commune.
Ascoli Piceno is also home to several beautiful churches and convents, each with its own unique architectural style and historical significance. The Cathedral of SantEmidio, dedicated to Saint Emygdius and houses an altarpiece by Carlo Crivelli. The Tempietto di SantEmidio alle Grotte, Tempietto di SantEmidio Rosso, San Francesco, SantAgostino, San Cristoforo, San Domenico, Santa Maria Inter Vineas, San Pietro Martire, San Tommaso, San Vittore, and Edicola di Morelli are all must-see attractions for visitors interested in history and architecture.
For those interested in Italian football, Ascoli Calcio is the main football team in the city. Founded in 1898, it is one of the oldest teams in Italy and played for 16 years in Serie A. Every year, the city also celebrates the feast day of Saint Emidio, the city’s patron saint, on the first Sunday in August. The historical parade with more than 1500 people dressed in Renaissance costume is held in celebration of Saint Emidio, followed by a tournament, called Quintana, in which six knights compete for one of the six neighborhoods in the city, riding the course one after the other trying to hit an effigy of an Arab warrior. Strength and ability are necessary for the knight to win the palio or grand prize.
Last but not least, Ascoli Piceno is famous for its delicious local cuisine. The town is known for its olive allascolana, a dish prepared from olives, and its local wines, such as Rosso Piceno and Falerio dei Colli Ascolani. Visitors can also enjoy other traditional dishes such as vincisgrassi, a rich lasagna-like dish, and brodetto allascolana, a local fish soup.
Ascoli Piceno is a hidden gem that should not be missed. With its stunning architecture, rich history, and delicious local cuisine, it is the perfect destination for anyone looking for an authentic Italian experience.
