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Ascoli Piceno

Ascoli Piceno is famous for its culinary specialty, the olive all’ascolana, which are olives stuffed with meat and cheese, coated in breadcrumbs and fried. They are usually served as an appetizer or a snack, and are very popular throughout Italy.

The Tempietto di Sant’Emidio Rosso is a small octagonal church in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, that commemorates the martyrdom of Saint Emygdius, the patron saint of the city and protector from earthquakes. According to the legend, Saint Emygdius was beheaded here in 303 AD, and then walked with his head in his hands to the grottoes where he was buried. The church was built in 1633 on the site of a previous votive chapel that housed the stone of the decapitation. The church is painted red to symbolize the blood of the saint. The Tempietto di Sant’Emidio Rosso is one of the places that belong to the “Emydian itinerary” of the city, a route that connects all the sites related to the tradition, miracles, life and death of the saint. Another important place is the Tempietto di Sant’Emidio alle Grotte, a Baroque church built in 1720 over the grottoes where Saint Emygdius and his disciples were buried. The church has a richly decorated interior with paintings, sculptures and frescoes depicting scenes from the life of the saint. (Photos 1-2)  – Ponte Romano is a Roman bridge in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, that crosses the Tronto river. It is one of the most significant monuments of the city, symbolizing its ancient history and culture. Ponte Romano was built by Emperor Augustus in the 1st century BC, as part of his project to renovate the Empire and improve the road network. The bridge connected the two Roman provinces of Ascoli and Fermo, along the Via Salaria, an important trade route. Ponte Romano is made of travertine, a type of white limestone that is also used for many other buildings in Ascoli Piceno. The bridge has a single majestic arch that spans the entire structure. The road surface is 62 meters long, while the arch is 22.20 meters wide and 25 meters high from the road level. The bridge was built with the technique of “opus quadratum”, which consists of placing large stone blocks one on top of the other without using mortar. (Photo-7) (Photo-8 taken from Ponte Romano)

Via di Solestà is a street in Ascoli Piceno runs parallel from the Ponte Romano to Via delle Torri, where the Chiesa di San Pietro Martire is situated. (Photos 9-10) The Chiesa di San Pietro Martire is a Catholic church located in the historic center of Ascoli Piceno, in the quarter of San Giacomo. It is one of the most remarkable examples of Gothic architecture in the Marche region, and it was built by the Dominican friars in memory of the passage of Pietro da Verona in the city in 1250. The church was constructed between 1280 and 1332, on the site of a previous church dedicated to San Domenico. The church was named after Pietro da Verona, who was martyred in 1252 and canonized in 1253. He was a preacher and an inquisitor who fought against heresy and corruption. The church has a simple and austere facade, with a 17th-century portal by Giuseppe Giosafatti. The side portal, facing Piazza Ventidio Basso, is more elaborate and was made by Cola Dell’Amatrice in 1523. It shows the symbols of the Passion of Christ, such as the crown of thorns, the nails, and the cross. The church contains many artistic treasures, such as the wooden choir from the 16th century, the tombs of the Tibaldeschi and Saladini families from the 14th and 15th centuries, the imposing tabernacle by S. Vincenzo da Napoli from the 17th century, and eight Baroque altars with paintings by Ludovico Trasi, Antonio di Silvio Giosafatti, Giuseppe Angelini, Buonocore di Campli, and Tommaso Nardin. The church also houses a relic of the Holy Thorn and the remains of Blessed Costanzo da Fabriano, a Dominican friar who died in Ascoli Piceno in 1481. He was known for his miracles and his devotion to the Virgin Mary. His body is preserved in a glass case under the altar dedicated to him. (Photos 11-13)

Piazza Ventidio Basso is a large and irregular square in the historic center of Ascoli Piceno, in the quarter of San Giacomo. It is surrounded by buildings of historical and artistic interest, such as the church of San Pietro Martire, the church of San Vincenzo e Anastasio, and some medieval and Renaissance houses and towers. The square was named after Ventidio Basso, a Roman general who was born in Ascoli Piceno in the 1st century BC. He was a loyal supporter of Julius Caesar and Augustus, and he fought against Mark Antony and Cleopatra in Egypt. He was also the first Roman to conquer Parthia, a powerful enemy of Rome in the East. The square is also the starting point of the historical parade of the Quintana, a medieval jousting tournament that takes place every year in Ascoli Piceno. The participants of the six districts of the city gather here in their costumes and flags, and then march to Piazza Arringo, where the competition begins. The Quintana is one of the oldest and most spectacular events in Italy, dating back to 1377. (Photos 11-12-13)

Piazza Santa Maria Inter Vinea is a square in the historic center of Ascoli Piceno, Italy, that is located near the church of Santa Maria Inter Vineas. The name of the square means “Saint Mary among the vineyards”, because it was originally surrounded by vineyards and orchards. The square was also called “Piazza del Mercato”, because it was the place where the farmers sold their products.The square is dominated by the church of Santa Maria Inter Vineas, which is a late-Romanesque and early-Gothic-style church that dates back to the 13th century. The church has a simple facade with a portal and a rose window, and a detached bell tower that was once a watchtower. The church contains some frescoes from the 13th and 15th centuries, and a marble tomb of Nicola Pizzuti, a nobleman from Ascoli Piceno. (Photo 14) – Lungo Tronto Bartolomei is a street in Ascoli Piceno, that runs along the Tronto river. It is located in the eastern part of the city, near the Ponte Romano and the Piazza Santa Maria Inter Vinea. Lungo Tronto Bartolomei is named after Ermidio Tronto Bartolomei, a local historian and writer who lived in the 19th century. He wrote several books and articles about the history, culture and traditions of Ascoli Piceno and its territory. He also collected and preserved many documents and relics from the past. Lungo Tronto Bartolomei is a popular place for walking, cycling and enjoying the view of the river and the mountains. It has a pedestrian and bicycle path that connects the city center with the suburbs. It also has some benches, fountains, trees and flowers that create a pleasant atmosphere. (Photos 13-16-17-18-19-20)

Piazza Giovanni Giacomini is a square in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, that is located near the river Tronto and the Ponte Nuovo. Piazza Giovanni Giacomini is named after Giovanni Giacomini, a local politician and journalist who was born in Ascoli Piceno in 1873. He was a member of the Italian Socialist Party and a supporter of the workers’ rights and social reforms. He was also the director of the newspaper L’Avvenire d’Italia, which was founded in Ascoli Piceno in 1896. He died in 1938 and his bust is placed on the square. Piazza Giovanni Giacomini is also a lively place where locals and tourists can enjoy some cafes, restaurants, shops and events. (Photos 21-22) – Corso Giuseppe Mazzini is a street in Ascoli Piceno, that is named after a famous politician and journalist who was born in the city. It is a long and elegant street that is one of the main shopping streets in Ascoli Piceno, where you can find many stores, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. You can also admire some beautiful buildings and monuments along the street. (Potos 24-25-26-27-28) Piazza del Popolo is the main square and the heart of the charming town of Ascoli Piceno, The square dates back to the Roman era and has been a central hub of activity and commerce since ancient times. The square is surrounded by elegant buildings made of travertine, a type of white limestone that is characteristic of Ascoli Piceno. One of the most notable buildings is the Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo, which was the seat of the city government in the Middle Ages. The square is also home to some historical monuments, such as the statue of Pope Paul III, who brought peace to the town in 1540; the fountain of Piazza del Popolo, which was built in 1579 and has a bronze statue of a lion on top; and the Caffè Meletti, which is a famous Art Nouveau cafe that opened in 1907 and was frequented by many celebrities and intellectuals. (Photos 29-3-31)

Piazza Roma is one of the oldest squares in Ascoli Piceno, and it was originally the site of a Roman forum. The square was also the center of the medieval and Renaissance city, where the main political, religious and social events took place. Piazza Roma is close to some historical and artistic buildings, such as the Palazzo dell’Arengo, which was the seat of the city council and the court of justice; the Palazzo del Podestà, which was the residence of the chief magistrate; the Palazzo del Comune, which was the administrative office of the city; and the Chiesa di San Venanzio, which is a Romanesque church that dates back to the 11th century. Piazza Roma is also a lively place where locals and tourists can enjoy some cafes, restaurants, shops and events. One of the most famous events is the Festa di Sant’Emidio, the patron saint of the city and protector from earthquakes. The festival takes place every year on August 5th, and it includes a procession, a fireworks show, and a concert. (Photo 32) – Piazza Sant’Agostino is a square in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, that is located near the church of Sant’Agostino. The square is named after the church of Sant’Agostino, which is a Romanesque-Gothic-Renaissance-style church that was built between the 13th and the 16th centuries. The church has a simple facade with a portal and a rose window, and a detached bell tower that was once a watchtower. The church contains some frescoes from the 13th and 15th centuries, and a marble tomb of Nicola Pizzuti, a nobleman from Ascoli Piceno (Photos 35-36)

Ascoli Piceno Cuisine:- Ascoli Piceno has with a rich culinary tradition and some special foods that you might want to try. Olive all’ascolana:- These are green olives stuffed with meat and cheese, coated in breadcrumbs and fried. They are usually served as an appetizer or a snack, and are very popular throughout Italy. They originated in Ascoli Piceno in the 19th century, and are made with a local variety of olives called Ascolana Tenera. – Vincisgrassi:- These are lasagna with meat sauce and bechamel, but with some differences from the typical Italian lasagna. The pasta sheets are thinner and more delicate, the meat sauce is made with chicken or veal liver, prosciutto, and white wine, and the bechamel is flavored with nutmeg and lemon zest. The dish is named after an Austrian general who liked it during the Napoleonic wars. – Cremini:- These are fried custard squares covered with chocolate. They are a typical dessert of Ascoli Piceno, and are often eaten during carnival or other festivities. They are made with eggs, milk, sugar, flour, vanilla, and lemon peel, and then cut into small squares, dipped in batter, and fried until golden. They are then coated with melted dark chocolate and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Photo Gallery of Walk 1 – Via Bengasi to Lungo Tronto Bartolomei
Approximately 0.90 km – 0.56 miles

The walk starts in Via Bengasi – Tempietto di Sant’Emidio Rosso, Via Berardo Tucci – Via Berardo Tucci – Via Rigante Adriano – Ponte Romano – Via di Solestà – Via Delle Donne – Piazza Ventidio Basso – Via E Tamburini – Piazza Santa Maria Inter Vinea – Lungo Tronto Emidio Bartolomei – Lungo Tronto Bartolomei

Photo Gallery of Walk 2 – Piazza Giovanni Giacomini to Piazza Sant’Agostino  
Approximately 0.95 km – 0.59 miles

The walk starts in Piazza Giovanni Giacomini – Via Giuseppe Sacconi – Corso Giuseppe Mazzini – Piazza del Popolo – Via Panichi Alessandro – Piazza Roma – Via del Crocifisso – Via Antonio Orsini – Corso Giuseppe Mazzini – Piazza Sant’Agostino