Ascoli Piceno: Squares, History and Routes

Explore Ascoli Piceno through its squares, churches and Roman traces. Old travertine buildings define the historic center. Distances within the city are short, making walking tours a practical way to sightsee. Squares, churches and buildings reveal different facets of the city’s history: from civic and religious places to Roman structures and Renaissance architecture.

Squares, Churches and Architectural History

Piazza del Popolo acquired its present-day regular appearance in the early years of the 16th century. Piazza Arringo has a different role: it is the civic and religious center of Ascoli Piceno. Together, the two squares offer different points of reference for a tour through the city’s history.

The Church of San Francesco recalls the visit of Saint Francis of Assisi to Ascoli Piceno in 1215. This Gothic building was constructed between 1258 and 1549. Beside the church stands the Loggia dei Mercanti, a 16th-century building in the Bramante style. The church and loggia together make two different architectural influences from the same period visible in the cityscape.

The Baptistery of San Giovanni is considered an important example of Romanesque architecture. It retains its original round baptismal font for baptism by immersion. The cathedral also reaches back into the past: it stands on the site of a Roman public building, and its crypt preserves the saint’s relics.

Roman Traces and Museums

Asculum, ancient Ascoli Piceno, came into contact with Rome through trade along what later became the Via Salaria, even before its alliance with the Piceni in 299 BC. Traces of the Roman period can be seen in several notable structures: the Ponte Augusteo is a bridge over the Tronto dating to the 1st century BC. Following restoration work in the 1930s, visitors can cross it on foot. The Porta Gemina preserves remains of Roman walls built using opus reticulatum. The Roman theater was excavated between 1932 and 1959, and excavation work is ongoing.

The Museo Archeologico Statale di Ascoli Piceno presents collections spanning prehistory, the Picene culture and the Roman period. Access to individual sections may vary; check current visitor information before your visit. The museum is in a restricted-traffic zone, which you cannot enter by private car as far as the entrance. The nearest paid parking is at Piazza della Viola and Porta Torricella. Check the latest access information before you travel.

Another point of interest for museums and architecture is Forte Malatesta: its restored Renaissance fortifications are associated with Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. The fort houses the Museo dell’Alto Medioevo, which displays precious grave goods from the Lombard necropolis of Castel Trosino. Renaissance history of the fortifications and a collection of early medieval grave goods can thus be found side by side.

On Foot, by Bicycle and for the Quintana

Walking tours are a good way to explore Ascoli Piceno. The Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani offers a different scale: the route starts and ends in Ascoli Piceno and can be completed on foot or by bicycle. About 80 percent of it follows historic roads and mule tracks; the route connects the city with the varied landscape to its southwest. Check the latest route details and trail markings before setting out.

The Quintana di Ascoli Piceno is also one of the city’s special cultural events. It includes a historic procession and a jousting tournament at Campo de' Giochi. The traditional program includes jousting tournaments in July and August. If you are planning your trip around this period, check the specific event dates in advance.

One local culinary specialty is Anisetta Meletti: a natural liqueur distilled from aniseed and aromatic spices according to an original recipe from 1870. This gives you a range of options for planning your trip: short walks between attractions, a museum visit, a route on foot or by bicycle, and the cultural tradition of the Quintana.

Discover more destinations: Acquasanta Terme, Venagrande, Colle San Marco, Montecchio, Vallefusella, Force, Arquata Del Tronto, Campolungo, Carassai, Centobuchi, Acquaviva Picena, Castignano, Castorano, Colli Del Tronto, Montedinove, Montelparo, Monteprandone, Offida, Pedaso, San Benedetto Del Tronto, Amandola, Piane Vecchie, Abetito, Uscerno, Marsia, Montalto delle Marche, Capradosso, Illice, Porchia, Balzo, Spinetoli, Montemonaco, Cossignano, Rotella, San Silvestro, Il Palazzo, Appignano del Tronto, Roccafluvione, Venarotta, Lisciano, Massignano, Cupra Marittima, Monsampolo Del Tronto, Montefiore Dell'aso, Ripatransone, Folignano, Ascoli Piceno, Ponzano, Castel Di Lama, Grottammare, Pastina, Comunanza

For the regional travel overview: Marche.