Ascoli Piceno

Ascoli Piceno is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities of the Marche, we can indeed say that the ancient urban fabric, for its unitary and homogeneous structure and for the many medieval towers and bell towers, is certainly one of the most characteristic examples of Italy. The city boasts priceless art treasures from every century, starting with the Roman period, not to mention the archaeological heritage dating back to the Picene civilizations that developed in the area from the 8th-7th century BC. "Seeing" is mainly given by the architectural ensemble, whether it is formed by the severe facades of its largest and admirable palaces and churches or by the humblest but always noble houses running in the narrowest and most winding streets, which here are called "rua" from Roman "wrinkle". Each age has left numerous vestiges, and the long passing of the centuries has respected them; man too, despite having gradually made extensions and modifications as well as new buildings, has tried here more than anywhere else to respect the ancient, to combine the various styles in a harmonious way. How did this happen? Everything is thanks to the travertine, the stone that does not flake, that does not crack, that time covers its patina but fails to affect, the stone that abounds in the hills of Ascoli and that was always used by architects of the graceful center: not for nothing this was called the "city of travertine". In fact, almost all the monuments of Ascoli present a supreme severity, greatly strengthened by the white-gray travertine which, over the centuries, has become dark gray. It has been said that Ascoli must be discovered; its spirit, its essence is above all in its less traveled streets, where graceful mullioned windows or elegant decorations almost surprise us, in its austere, ancient churches, in the interiors of its welcoming houses. It is a city that fascinates and whose suggestion is increased by the scenographic landscape, a city that, known, cannot be forgotten!

The surroundings of Ascoli Piceno

The province of Ascoli Piceno is the southernmost in the Marche region, overlooking the Adriatic Sea and bordering three regions: Abruzzo (province of Teramo) to the south, Lazio (province of Rieti) to the southwest and Umbria (province of Perugia) West. The Abruzzo border is marked in the eastern section by the Tronto river. The land is for the most part hilly and used in the agricultural sector of olives and vines. Among the main food and wine products are the Ascoli olive and the Rosso Piceno Superiore wine. Two important mountain ranges are located in the province of Ascoli Piceno, the Sibillini and the Monti della Laga, with their respective parks: the Monti Sibillini National Park and the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. The province is rich in historical elements, architectural beauties, ancient villages, abbeys, museums, fortified fortresses and historic villas. The Ascoli hinterland is recovering the beauty and vigor of the past after the violent earthquakes that deeply affected it.