| Page Views: 2,380 Last Visit to Ascoli Piceno: October, 2006 | Ascoli Piceno: Architecture, Handicrafts, Gastromy by deecat - last update: Nov 1, 2006 |
Known as "The Travertine City" In October of 2006, the small city of Ascoli Piceno, population of about 50,000, was our first stop while on our 4th visit to Italy. This time we were visiting the Le Marche (La Mar kay) region, and Ascoli (as it is affectionately called) is located in the southern portion of Le Marche.
We drove our rental car from Rome's airport. It took us three and one half hours, and when we arrived, we were having difficulty finding the correct parking lot. We stopped near a goup of young men; I went up to them and excused myself, asking for assistance. They could not have been kinder. Two of them told us to follow them; they got into their own car and showed us the way...amazing!
Allan and I always stay in the ancient center of Italian towns, and in Ascoli, we delighted in the fact that it is a town built of travertine (so is Rome), and its central Piazza del Popolo is a beautiful piazza indeed This piazza is a real "town square" where we saw many families pushing babies in beautiful buggies, children riding bikes and kicking a soccer ball, and lovers strolling hand-in-hand.
Ascoli Piceno is a beautiful city, but in a "working man's" sort of way. While we were there, the travertine pavement was shining in the bright sunlight, and I especially admired the low brick arcades that surround this unique square. Once we walked out of the old city center, we noted that the Tronto and the Castellano rivers embrace this city on three sides. There, too, we viewed historic walls, gates, and bridges. |
| One of 50 remaining towers |
|  | City of Towers Similar to San Gimignano in Tuscany, Ascoli Picano boasts of many medieval towers. At one time, there were over 200 towers. Today, fortunately, there are still about 50 (many are attached to a church or other structure.)
We did not see all 50 of the towers. However, we did see several, and I was impressed. |
| Just one example of Graffiti in Ascoli Piceno |
| | City of Graffiti One of the biggest disappointments for me personally was to see numerous examples of graffti on the walls of ancient structures in this historic city. I took this photo to emphasize my concern. This photo shows but one example of hundreds that we viewed. I don't know the reason why people find it necessary to vandalize (that is what I consider graffiti) ;however, I do know that I hated seeing it.b |
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| Pros: | "Culture, Food, Architecture" | | Cons: | "Marred walls from vandals" | | In A Nutshell: | "Historic city with unique architecture and delicious food" |
deecat's Ascoli Piceno Travel Tips
 Comments for deecat about Ascoli Piceno | | | | |
Pawtuxet Tue Aug 25, 2009 18:14 UTC
Hi Dee/ your restaurant tip was just featured on the front page of VT... thought I'd pop in to get even hungrier. time for lunch. | sourbugger Sun Aug 9, 2009 20:36 UTC
hey, what a great page my fine friend | Mikebb Fri Jul 24, 2009 09:16 UTC
Enjoyed your page Dee. We visited in 2005, I would like to return, but we live so far away we end up visiting countries we have not been to. In 2010 we plan to visit Russia. | BruceDunning Sun Jul 19, 2009 17:21 UTC
I keep looking into your Italy places and your presentation is fabulous for tips and pictures. Maybe our next trip is 2010-Ascoli Piceno could be a visit |
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