Ascoli Piceno Art & Culture

The historic capital of the Piceno, Ascoli is an extraordinary centre for its ancient origins, richness of works of art, urban structure and economic activity. A city with Italian, Roman, Longobard, imperial and pontifical origins, today’s Ascoli is the capital of the province of the Marche.

As Jean Paul Sartre recognized, “all the history of Italian art is well exemplified in this city”, rich with Roman construction like the majestic Gemina Gate, the imposing Augustus Bridge of Solesta Gate, and the superb Temple of Vesta (today the church of Saint Gregory). Upon the foundations of the Roman city, which are still visible, the medieval times brought numerous buildings, constructed of traverine, which are still renowned for their architectural features: the austere Baptistery, the medieval towers, the elegant Longobard Palace with its Ercolani Tower, the suggestive churches of Saints Vincent and Anastsius, Saint Victor and Saint Giacomo.

The Church of Saint Francis, with its exceptional lines, its stupendous southern façade, its beautiful apse and its two polyganol bell towers which close one end of the magnificent arcaded Piazza del Popolo (People’s Square), is a jewel of Renaissance architecture.

Principally the renaissance and baroque architectural style line Corso Mazzini and the monumental Piazza Arringo, the noble Soderini Street, where the bed and breakfast is found, and the small characteristic, picturesque streets and lanes of the historic centre.

Two important collections of artistic treasures are housed in the Pinacoteca Comunale (the city’s art gallery), and the Diocesan Museum (works by Crivelli, Cola dell’Amatrice, Tiziano, Reni, Magnasco, and the famous Piviale of Ascoli). Other important archaeological finds are housed in the Museo di Stato (State Museum). In short, as Piovene recounted, Ascoli is, without a doubt, “one of the most beautiful small cities in Italy”, a pleasant, vibrant, welcoming city, with seductive cafés like the famous Caffé Meletti.

Ascoli Piceno is an ideal city for those who enjoy a relaxing, calm atmosphere, art and history.