Ascoli Piceno travel guide — Ascoli Piceno tourism and travel information

Ascoli Piceno travel guide

about Ascoli Piceno

Ascoli Piceno is a town in Marche region, Italy, capital to the same-named province. Geographical location 42° 52' North, 13° 35' East. Its population, according to the 2001 census, is 50.135 inhabitants. The town lays at the confluence of Tronto River with Castellano Creek and is surrounded on three sides by mountains. Two natural parks are located on the north-western flank (Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini) and on the south (Parco Nazionale dei Monti della Laga). Ascoli is well connected by railway to the Adriatic coast and the city of San Benedetto del Tronto and by highway to Rome| and Porto d'Ascoli.

The recent industrialization brought to Ascoli several Italian and multinational companies (YKK, Manuli, Pharmacia) but the bulk of the economy is small and medium enterprises and the providing of professional services to the area. The agriculture is still important (wheat, olives, fruits).

Ascoli was founded by an Italic population (Sabini) several centuries before Rome on the important Via Salaria (Salaria Road) which connected Latium with the salt production area on the Adriatic coast. In 268 BC it became a civitas foederata, with nominal Independence from Rome. In 91 BC it revolted against Rome together with other cities in central Italy but in 89 BC was conquered and destroyed by Strabone. It acquired anyway the Roman citizenship, following the developments and the eventual fall of the Roman Empire. During the Middle Ages it was conquered by the Lombards in 578, then by the Franks in 789, but ultimately it was the Catholic Church Bishops to gain influence and power inside the city. In 1189 a free republican municipality was established but internal strifes led dramatically to the demise of civic values and freedom, until ambitious lord took over the reins of the city. After two centuries of disorder, the authority of the Pope was reestabilshed in late XVI century. Ascoli followed then almost two centuries of cultural, economic stagnation, turning into a small agricultural centre until the Napoleonic wars. In 1860 it was annexed together with Marche and Umbria in the Kingdom of Italy

The central historical part of the city is built in marmor called travertino, a grey hued stoned extracted from the surrounding mountains. Its central Renaissance square, Piazza del Popolo or People's square is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. The cathedral of Sant'Emidio, the Roman Bridge and the Longbards Tower are some of several historic relics of particular interest.

The main festivity is in the first Sunday in August. The historical parade with more than 900 people dressed in Renaissance costums is held in celebration of Saint Emidio, protector of the city. The parade is followed by a tournament, called Quintana, in which six knights, each one competing for one of the six neighborhoods in the city, run in turn a course and try to hit a puppet figuring an Arab warrior. Strength and ability are necessary for the knight to win the palio or the grand prize.

Near cities to Ascoli Piceno

• L Aquila travel guide 56 km
• Civita di Bagnoregio travel guide 62 km
• Pescara travel guide 68 km
• Fabriano travel guide 76 km
• Terni travel guide 84 km
• Ancona travel guide 87 km
• Perugia travel guide 100 km
• Vasto travel guide 120 km
• Pesaro travel guide 130 km
• Viterbo travel guide 130 km

Near webcams to Ascoli Piceno

• Portonovo - Ancona webcam 85 km
• Perugia - Fontana Maggiore webcam 100 km
• Perugia - Corso Vannucci webcam 100 km
• Rome webcam 140 km
• Gabicce Mare webcam 140 km
• Forum Romanum webcam 140 km
• Cattolica webcam 140 km
• Riccione webcam 150 km
• Rimini webcam 160 km
• Spiagga di ponente webcam 180 km

back to top

Ascoli Piceno travel services

cheap flights to Ascoli Piceno

• book cheap flights to Ascoli Piceno »
• book cheap flights to Italy »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of four main cheap airline tickets and cheap flights online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap airline tickets Ascoli Piceno, cheap flights Ascoli Piceno, also available cheap airline tickets to Italy and to the whole world. Up to date cheap flights Ascoli Piceno deals also available.

cheap Ascoli Piceno hotels

• book cheap hotels to Ascoli Piceno »
• book cheap hotels to Italy »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main cheap hotels and accommodation online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap hotels in Ascoli Piceno, Italy hotel guide and cheap hotels and accommodation in lot of other world-wide destinations. Up to date cheap Ascoli Piceno hotel deals and discount accommodation tips also available.

cheap Ascoli Piceno vacations

• book Ascoli Piceno vacations »
• book Italy vacations »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main cheap vacations online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap vacations in Ascoli Piceno, Italy vacation rentals and cheap vacations in lot of other destinations world-wide. Up to date Ascoli Piceno vacation deals also available.

cheap car rentals in Ascoli Piceno

• book cheap car rental in Ascoli Piceno »
• book cheap car rentals in Italy »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main car rentals online booking systems. We are happy to offer car rentals in Ascoli Piceno, car hire in Italy and cheap car rental in lot other world-wide destinations. Up to date cheap Ascoli Piceno car hire deals also available.

Ascoli Piceno travel insurance

• Ascoli Piceno cheap travel insurance »
• cheap travel insurance for Italy »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of Essential Travel Ltd., leading online travel insurance company, we can offer you health travel insurance for Ascoli Piceno, accident health Ascoli Piceno travel insurance, all using our online Ascoli Piceno travel insurance form. We also offer travel insurance for other cities in Italy. This offer is available for UK residents only.

Ascoli Piceno real estate

• Ascoli Piceno real estate guide »
• real estate listings in Italy »

City Travel Guide comes with Ascoli Piceno real estate guide with several tips on home valuation, realtors comparison, secrets on finding the "right" home, loans guide and other helpful real estate advices. Our partners also maintain Ascoli Piceno property for sale and rental listings, real estate laws and reviews. We will try to help you with buying property in Italy, choosing real estate agents, property finders, relocation help, and information for English speakers wanting to buy real estate in Ascoli Piceno.

back to top

Ascoli Piceno travel books

Ascoli Piceno travel guide books

• Ascoli Piceno travel guide books »
• Italy travel guide books »

Ascoli Piceno maps and atlases

• Ascoli Piceno maps and atlases »
• Italy maps and atlases »

back to top