An Italian Gem: Ascoli Piceno

The city of Travertine

Ascoli Piceno is known as “the city of Travertine” as the Romans rebuilt the city almost entirely of Travertine stone. At the heart of the city is the Piazza del Popolo, considered one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. Both locals and visitors relax in this square with a drink and an aperitivo, connecting with others and soaking up the ambiance. It is surrounded by the ancient Church of San Francesco, palaces, and the famous Art Deco café, Caffe Meletti.

A culinary must at Meletti or any local eatery is the olive all’ascolana, large green olives stuffed with meat and lightly fried. Other regional specialties include risotto with mushrooms, grilled meats, and fish stew, which are paired with local wines.

Historical sites

The history of Ascoli Piceno runs remarkably deep, stretching back well before the Romans to the ancient Sabines. According to local tradition, the Sabines followed a woodpecker to a safe and fertile land between three mountains at the confluence of the Rivers Tronto and Castellano. The bridges of Ascoli each share chapters of history, and one must walk over the Ponte Cecco, an engineering feat of the Roman Empire. Its origins began as part of the “Via Salaria,” the old “salt road.”

Other essential historical sites include the Church of Saint Emidio, the patron saint of Ascoli Piceno, and the Archaeological Museum. My husband and I deepened our appreciation for the city’s rich past through a fascinating walking tour led by local guide Lella Palumbi.

Hotel DiSabatino

Our stay at Hotel DiSabatino, very close to Piazza Popolo, added to the local flavor. The staff were friendly and we particularly enjoyed our room with a terrace jacuzzi. The hotel was located two doors away from Ristorante CiBo, where we enjoyed the local cuisine.

Day trips

Ascoli Piceno is an easy jumping off point for day trips to seaside cities on the Adriatic Sea, hikes in Monti Sibillini National Park, and exploration of the many hill towns of the region. It is also less than a 90-minute drive to Ancona, a historic port city, from where ferries transport passengers to Croatia, Albania, and Greece.

• CiBo: A local restaurant focused on enhancing local specialties with a dynamic menu.

• Caffè Meletti: Situated in a historic building with stunning views over Piazza del Popolo. It's decor is Art Nouveau atmosphere. Visitors enjoy the wide selection of local dishes and drinks, with Ascolane olives and anisetta coffee among the favorites.

• Pizzeria Pub Da’Bruno: Family-run, cozy pizza establishment with a large selection of GF pizza and other GF options. Staff is friendly.

• Osteria Nonna Nina: Located in the heart of Ascoli, it has a warm, welcoming vibe. Specialties include the lightly fried dinner options.

• Gelateria Monardi: Not only fabulous gelato with unique, local flavors but also ice cream cakes and other ice cream-based desserts—you’ll want to try them all!