Ascoli – city of 100 towers and travertine

Programme:

Departure early in the morning with GT bus to Ascoli. Arrive in Ascoli and meet with the guide. Guided tour of the city whose historic center is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy, by virtue of its artistic and architectural richness. Ascoli is also known as the city of a hundred towers, for the countless noble towers or bell towers. The focus is Piazza del Popolo in Renaissance style, literally framed by a loggia with 59 arches and buildings with arcades and battlements. The whole floor is made of travertine slabs that, after the rain, take on a suggestive mirror effect. On the square there are the most important buildings: the Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo, of thirteenth-century origin and now the seat of the City Hall, the historic Caffè Meletti of Art Nouveau taste and the Church of San Francesco, which is leaning against the Loggia dei Mercanti, elegant construction of 1513. Another elegant urban space is Piazza Arringo, the oldest in Ascoli, where there are very interesting buildings: the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Cathedral of Sant’Emidio, the Bishop’s Palace, the Arengo Palace, home to the Civic Art Gallery and some municipal offices. On the opposite side of the square you can see the XVII century facade of Palazzo Panichi, home to the State Archaeological Museum. After the visit of the historic center transfer to the restaurant for lunch and in the early afternoon stop in a famous wine cellar in the area, with the possibility of buying food and wine. Departure for San Benedetto Del Tronto with a nice walk on the Riviera delle Palme. Return to Fabriano in the evening.