5 Ascoli Piceno

Ascoli Piceno was founded by the Piceno people several centuries before the founding of Rome on the important Via Salaria, the salt road that connected Latium with the salt production areas on the Adriatic coast. The Museo Archeologico even contains artifacts from the Piceno people with curses against Roman invaders. The city is circled by old walls, has interesting Roman remains, graceful squares, artisan shops, arcaded streets, tall medieval towers, and enticing cafés and restaurants. It is known as the “city of travertine” after the type of marble used harmoniously throughout its medieval and Renaissance buildings. Important sites include:

• Medieval Towers: the city once had around 100, but only a few still remain in the Via dei Soderini
• Loggia dei Mercanti: the little square was the commercial heart of the city from the 16thcentury. A small daily market can still be found there
• San Francesco: the Gothic church is one of the town’s most significant buildings. Begun in1258, it was not completed until 1549
• Piazza del Popolo: the piazza is dominated by the imposing 13th-century palazzo. The grand square is the social hub of Ascoli. The shady loggias house cafés and shops. This piazza is considered one of the most beautiful public places in Italy. Be sure to visit the Caffè Meletti
• Caffè Meletti: founded in 1904 it is one of the most famous watering holes in Le Marche. SilvioMeletti first served his famous anisette liqueur at this cafe and it was included in the classic 1960 film I delfini by Citto Maselli.
• Museo Archeologico: information on the Piceno people who predated the Roman occupation. The museum contains artifacts including Roman mosaics. Piazza del Popolo, 1
• Duomo: located on the Piazza Arringo, the 12-th century Duomo has a Broque façade and apolyptych by Crivelli (1435-95)
• Roman remains: a bridge, the remains of a theatre and the 14th-century San Gregorio church built around a Roman temple, are remnants of the town’s Roman past.
• Teatro Ventidio Basso: built in the 1840s to replace a communal theatre from 1579, thetheatre is named after Ventidio Basso who was a military and political leader for Julius Cesare and Marc Anthony. The  theatre opened in 1846 with performances of Ernani and I Puritani.