Ascoli Piceno
Encyclopedia
Ascoli Piceno is a town and comune
in the Marche
region of Italy
, capital of the province of the same name
. Its population is c. 51,400.
River and the small river Castellano and is surrounded on three sides by mountains. Two natural parks border the town, one on the northwestern flank (Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini
) and the other on the southern (Parco Nazionale dei Monti della Laga).
Ascoli has good rail connections to the Adriatic coast and the city of San Benedetto del Tronto
, by highway to Porto d'Ascoli
and by the Italian National Road 4 Salaria
to Rome
.
, the salt road
that connected Latium
with the salt production areas on the Adriatic coast. In 268 BC it became a civitas foederata, a "federated" city with nominal independence from Rome. In 91 BC, together with other cities in central Italy, it revolted against Rome, but in 89 BC was reconquered and destroyed by Pompeius Strabo
. Its inhabitants acquired Roman citizenship, following the developments and the eventual fall of the Roman Empire
.
During the Middle Ages
Ascoli was ravaged by the Ostrogoth
s and then by the Lombards
of King Faroald (578). After nearly two centuries as part of the Lombard Duchy of Spoleto
(593-789), Ascoli was ruled by the Franks
through their vicars, but ultimately it was the bishop
s that gained influence and power over the city.
In 1189 a free republic
an municipality was established but internal strife led dramatically to the demise of civic values and freedom and to unfortunate ventures against neighboring enemies. This unstable situation opened the way to foreign dictatorships, like those of Galeotto I Malatesta
(14th century), initially recruited as a mercenary (condottiero) in the war against Fermo
, and Francesco Sforza. Sforza was ousted in 1482, but Ascoli was again compelled to submit to the Papal
suzerainty. In 1860 it was annexed, together with Marche
and Umbria
, into the newly unified Kingdom of Italy.
, a grey-hued stone extracted from the surrounding mountains. Its central Renaissance square, Piazza del Popolo ("Square of the People") is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. According to traditional accounts, Ascoli Piceno was home to more than two hundred towers in the Middle Ages: today some fifty can still be seen.
Main sights include:
In Castel Trosino, not far from the city, in 1893 a rare 6th-century Lombard
necropolis
was found.
, Manuli, Pfizer
, Barilla) but the bulk of the economy is made up of small and medium sized enterprises and by those providing professional services to the area. Agriculture is still important (wheat, olives, fruits).
, opened in 1886, is the southwestern terminus of the San Benedetto del Tronto–Ascoli Piceno railway, a branch of the Adriatic railway.
, in which six knights, each competing for one of the six neighborhoods in the city, ride the course one after the other trying to hit an effigy of an Arab warrior. Strength and ability are necessary for the knight to win the palio or grand prize.
The town is also home to Ascoli Calcio
, currently in the Serie B
. The team is also known as "Picchio" (Woodpecker), in honour of the bird shown on the Marche
's Flag. Ascoli Piceno was founded by ancient italic people after following a woodpecker that signed them the place.
with: Massy
, France
, since 1997 Trier
, Germany
, since 1958 Chattanooga, USA since 2006
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
in the Marche
Marche
The population density in the region is below the national average. In 2008, it was 161.5 inhabitants per km2, compared to the national figure of 198.8. It is highest in the province of Ancona , and lowest in the province of Macerata...
region of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, capital of the province of the same name
Province of Ascoli Piceno
The Province of Ascoli Piceno is a province in the Marche region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Ascoli Piceno.It has an area of 1,228 km², and a total population of 212,846 . There are 33 comuni in the province, see Comunes of the Province of Ascoli Piceno.-External links:**...
. Its population is c. 51,400.
Geography
The town lies at the confluence of the TrontoTronto
The Tronto is a 115 km-long Italian river that arises at Monte della Laghetta and ends in the Adriatic Sea at Porto d'Ascoli, San Benedetto del Tronto. Anciently the Truentus, it traverses the Lazio, Marche, and Abruzzo regions....
River and the small river Castellano and is surrounded on three sides by mountains. Two natural parks border the town, one on the northwestern flank (Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini
Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini
thumb|280px|A view of [[Monte Sibilla]].The Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini is an Italian national park located across the regions of Marche and Umbria, encompassing the provinces of Macerata, Fermo, Ascoli Piceno and Perugia.It was established in 1993, and now contains more than 70,000...
) and the other on the southern (Parco Nazionale dei Monti della Laga).
Ascoli has good rail connections to the Adriatic coast and the city of San Benedetto del Tronto
San Benedetto del Tronto
San Benedetto del Tronto is a city and comune in Marche, Italy, in the province of Ascoli Piceno. It lies on the Adriatic Sea. San Benedetto del Tronto is an important little town on the Marche coast, an active fishing port and one of the main seaside resorts on the central Adriatic coast.Located...
, by highway to Porto d'Ascoli
Porto d'Ascoli
Porto d'Ascoli is an italian civil parish , part of the municipality of San Benedetto del Tronto in the province of Ascoli Piceno, Marche region.-History:...
and by the Italian National Road 4 Salaria
Via Salaria
The Via Salaria was an ancient Roman road in Italy.It eventually ran from Rome to Castrum Truentinum on the Adriatic coast - a distance of 242 km. The road also passed through Reate and Asculum...
to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
.
History
Ascoli was founded by an Italic population (Piceni) several centuries before Rome's founding on the important Via SalariaVia Salaria
The Via Salaria was an ancient Roman road in Italy.It eventually ran from Rome to Castrum Truentinum on the Adriatic coast - a distance of 242 km. The road also passed through Reate and Asculum...
, the salt road
Salt Road
A salt road ) is any of the prehistoric and historical trade routes by which essential salt has been transported to regions that lacked it ....
that connected Latium
Latium
Lazio is one of the 20 administrative regions of Italy, situated in the central peninsular section of the country. With about 5.7 million residents and a GDP of more than 170 billion euros, Lazio is the third most populated and the second richest region of Italy...
with the salt production areas on the Adriatic coast. In 268 BC it became a civitas foederata, a "federated" city with nominal independence from Rome. In 91 BC, together with other cities in central Italy, it revolted against Rome, but in 89 BC was reconquered and destroyed by Pompeius Strabo
Pompeius Strabo
Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo , whose cognomen means "cross eyed", is often referred to in English as Pompey Strabo to distinguish him from Strabo, the geographer. Strabo lived in the Roman Republic. Strabo was born and raised into a noble family in Picenum a rural district in Northern Italy, off the...
. Its inhabitants acquired Roman citizenship, following the developments and the eventual fall of the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
.
During the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
Ascoli was ravaged by the Ostrogoth
Ostrogoth
The Ostrogoths were a branch of the Goths , a Germanic tribe who developed a vast empire north of the Black Sea in the 3rd century AD and, in the late 5th century, under Theodoric the Great, established a Kingdom in Italy....
s and then by the Lombards
Lombards
The Lombards , also referred to as Longobards, were a Germanic tribe of Scandinavian origin, who from 568 to 774 ruled a Kingdom in Italy...
of King Faroald (578). After nearly two centuries as part of the Lombard Duchy of Spoleto
Duchy of Spoleto
The independent Duchy of Spoleto was a Lombard territory founded about 570 in central Italy by the Lombard dux Faroald.- Lombards :The Lombards, a Germanic people, had invaded Italy in 568 and conquered much of it, establishing a Kingdom divided between several dukes dependent on the King, who had...
(593-789), Ascoli was ruled by the Franks
Franks
The Franks were a confederation of Germanic tribes first attested in the third century AD as living north and east of the Lower Rhine River. From the third to fifth centuries some Franks raided Roman territory while other Franks joined the Roman troops in Gaul. Only the Salian Franks formed a...
through their vicars, but ultimately it was the bishop
Roman Catholic Diocese of Ascoli Piceno
The Italian Catholic diocese of Ascoli Piceno, in the Marche, has existed since the fourth century. Historically immediately dependent on the Holy See, it is now a suffragan of the archdiocese of Fermo.-History:...
s that gained influence and power over the city.
In 1189 a free republic
Republic
A republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
an municipality was established but internal strife led dramatically to the demise of civic values and freedom and to unfortunate ventures against neighboring enemies. This unstable situation opened the way to foreign dictatorships, like those of Galeotto I Malatesta
Galeotto I Malatesta
Galeotto I Malatesta was an Italian condottiero, who was lord of Rimini, Fano, Ascoli Piceno, Cesena and Fossombrone.-Biography:Born in Rimini, he the son of Pandolfo I Malatesta and the brother of Malatesta II Malatesta. In 1333 he was captured while besieging Ferrara, but was soon freed and...
(14th century), initially recruited as a mercenary (condottiero) in the war against Fermo
Fermo
Fermo is a town and comune of the Marche, Italy, in the Province of Fermo.Fermo is located on a hill, the Sabulo with a fine view, on a branch from Porto San Giorgio on the Adriatic coast railway....
, and Francesco Sforza. Sforza was ousted in 1482, but Ascoli was again compelled to submit to the Papal
Papal States
The Papal State, State of the Church, or Pontifical States were among the major historical states of Italy from roughly the 6th century until the Italian peninsula was unified in 1861 by the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia .The Papal States comprised territories under...
suzerainty. In 1860 it was annexed, together with Marche
Marche
The population density in the region is below the national average. In 2008, it was 161.5 inhabitants per km2, compared to the national figure of 198.8. It is highest in the province of Ancona , and lowest in the province of Macerata...
and Umbria
Umbria
Umbria is a region of modern central Italy. It is one of the smallest Italian regions and the only peninsular region that is landlocked.Its capital is Perugia.Assisi and Norcia are historical towns associated with St. Francis of Assisi, and St...
, into the newly unified Kingdom of Italy.
Main sights
The central historical part of the city is built in marble called travertinoTravertine
Travertine is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, especially hot springs. Travertine often has a fibrous or concentric appearance and exists in white, tan, and cream-colored varieties. It is formed by a process of rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate, often at the mouth of a hot...
, a grey-hued stone extracted from the surrounding mountains. Its central Renaissance square, Piazza del Popolo ("Square of the People") is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. According to traditional accounts, Ascoli Piceno was home to more than two hundred towers in the Middle Ages: today some fifty can still be seen.
Main sights include:
Churches and convents
- The Cathedral of Sant'Emidio, dedicated to Saint Emygdius, houses an altarpiece by Carlo CrivelliCarlo CrivelliCarlo Crivelli was an Italian Renaissance painter of conservative Late Gothic decorative sensibility, who spent his early years in the Veneto, where he absorbed influences from the Vivarini, Squarcione and Mantegna...
, who lived and worked in and around the city for many years. - Tempietto di Sant'Emidio alle Grotte
- Tempietto di Sant'Emidio Rosso
- The Gothic-style church of San Francesco (begun in 1258). The dome was completed in 1549. In the side portal is the monument to Pope Julius IIPope Julius IIPope Julius II , nicknamed "The Fearsome Pope" and "The Warrior Pope" , born Giuliano della Rovere, was Pope from 1503 to 1513...
, while the central portal is one of the finest examples of local travertine decoration. Annexed to the church is the 16th century Loggia dei Mercanti, in Bramantesque style of the Roman High RenaissanceHigh RenaissanceThe expression High Renaissance, in art history, is a periodizing convention used to denote the apogee of the visual arts in the Italian Renaissance...
. - The Romanesque San Vittore (documented from 996) with a low bell tower.
- St. Augustinus (14th century). Built with a single nave, was enlarged with two aisles in the late 15th century. The rectangular façade has a 1547 portal similar to that of St. Emidio. The convent houses the Town's library, the Contemporary Art Gallery and an auditorium.
- The convent of San Domenico, now a school, has a Renaissance cloister with 17th century frescoes.
- St. Peter Martyr (13th century), with a 1523 side portal by Nicola FilotesioNicola FilotesioNicola Filotesio was an Italian painter, architect and sculptor of the Renaissance period, active primarily in or near the town of Ascoli Piceno .A native of the town of Amatrice in the Papal State of Latium Nicola Filotesio (9 September 1480 [differing sources give 1489]—31 August 1547 [sources...
, known locally as Cola d'Amatrice. The interior contains the precious reliquary of the Holy ThornHoly ThornA Holy Thorn may refer to:*One of the thorns from the Crown of Thorns*Holy Thorn Reliquary, a reliquary created to hold one of the Holy Thorns*The Glastonbury Thorn...
, a gift of Philip IV of FrancePhilip IV of FrancePhilip the Fair was, as Philip IV, King of France from 1285 until his death. He was the husband of Joan I of Navarre, by virtue of which he was, as Philip I, King of Navarre and Count of Champagne from 1284 to 1305.-Youth:A member of the House of Capet, Philip was born at the Palace of...
. - San Tommaso (1069), housing numerous art works and built with parts from the neighboring Roman amphitheater.
- The Franciscan convent, of which two noteworthy cloisters remain today. It was once a prestigious center of culture, whose students included Pope Sixtus V.
Other buildings
- The Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo ("Palace of the People's Captains"). Built in the 13th century connecting three pre-existing edifices, it was the seat of the podestàPodestàPodestà is the name given to certain high officials in many Italian cities, since the later Middle Ages, mainly as Chief magistrate of a city state , but also as a local administrator, the representative of the Emperor.The term derives from the Latin word potestas, meaning power...
, the people's captains and, later, of the Papal governors. In the 15th century the southern side was enlarged, and, in 1520, a Mannerist façade was added in the rear side. In 1535 it underwent a general renovation, and in 1549 a new portal, with a monument of Pope Paul IIIPope Paul IIIPope Paul III , born Alessandro Farnese, was Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1534 to his death in 1549. He came to the papal throne in an era following the sack of Rome in 1527 and rife with uncertainties in the Catholic Church following the Protestant Reformation...
, was added. - Palazzo dell'ArengoPalazzo dell'ArengoPalazzo dell'Arengo is a historical building in Ascoli Piceno, Marche, central Italy.It is formed by two distinct buildings, the Palazzo del Comune and the Arringo, which to the late 12th century...
, located near the Cathedral - Roman Solestà Bridge
- The Porta Gemina ("Twin Gate"), an ancient Roman gate from the 1st century BC, through which the Via SalariaVia SalariaThe Via Salaria was an ancient Roman road in Italy.It eventually ran from Rome to Castrum Truentinum on the Adriatic coast - a distance of 242 km. The road also passed through Reate and Asculum...
entered the city. The ruins of the ancient theater are located nearby. It had two passageways, each 5.70 m tall and 2.95 m wide - Porta Tufilla, a tower-like gate built in 1552-1555. It is annexed to the Ponte Tufillo, a medieval bridge built in 1097 over the River Tronto.
- Ponte di CeccoCecco d'AscoliCecco d'Ascoli is the popular name of Francesco degli Stabili , a famous Italian encyclopaedist, physician and poet. Cecco is the diminutive of Francesco.-Life:Born in Ancarano, in the modern Abruzzo region, he devoted himself to the study of mathematics and astrology...
(Cecco Bridge), over the Castellano, recently identified of being of Roman RepublicRoman RepublicThe Roman Republic was the period of the ancient Roman civilization where the government operated as a republic. It began with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy, traditionally dated around 508 BC, and its replacement by a government headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and...
an origin - Ponte Maggiore ("Great Bridge"), of medieval origin
- Lombard Palace and the Ercolani Tower (11th-12th centuries)
- The Loggia dei Mercanti, a 16th century portico annexed to the church of St. Francis. It was commissioned by the city's wool traders guild and finished in 1513.
- Fortezza Pia, a fortress commanding the city rebuilt in 1560 by Pope Pius IVPope Pius IVPope Pius IV , born Giovanni Angelo Medici, was Pope from 1559 to 1565. He is notable for presiding over the culmination of the Council of Trent.-Biography:...
(whence the name). - Malatesta Fortress, in a site probably occupied by Roman baths. It was rebuilt by Galeotto I MalatestaGaleotto I MalatestaGaleotto I Malatesta was an Italian condottiero, who was lord of Rimini, Fano, Ascoli Piceno, Cesena and Fossombrone.-Biography:Born in Rimini, he the son of Pandolfo I Malatesta and the brother of Malatesta II Malatesta. In 1333 he was captured while besieging Ferrara, but was soon freed and...
, lord of Rimini, during the war against FermoFermoFermo is a town and comune of the Marche, Italy, in the Province of Fermo.Fermo is located on a hill, the Sabulo with a fine view, on a branch from Porto San Giorgio on the Adriatic coast railway....
. The construction, used as a jail until 1978, was enlarged by Antonio da Sangallo the YoungerAntonio da Sangallo the Youngerthumb|250px|The church of Santa Maria di Loreto near the [[Trajan's Market]] in [[Rome]], considered Sangallo's masterwork.thumb|250px|View of St. Patrick's Well in [[Orvieto]]....
in 1543. - Edicola (monumental niche, once housing a Madonna image) of Lazzaro Morelli, a 1639 architecture attributed to sculptor Lazzaro Morelli, a disciple of Gianlorenzo Bernini.
- Grotte dell'Annunziata ("Grottoes of the Annunciation"), a large portico with niches from the 2nd-1st centuries BC, whose original function is unknown (it has been suggested that they could be barracks or slaves dwellings, or a fortified palace)
In Castel Trosino, not far from the city, in 1893 a rare 6th-century Lombard
Lombards
The Lombards , also referred to as Longobards, were a Germanic tribe of Scandinavian origin, who from 568 to 774 ruled a Kingdom in Italy...
necropolis
Necropolis
A necropolis is a large cemetery or burial ground, usually including structural tombs. The word comes from the Greek νεκρόπολις - nekropolis, literally meaning "city of the dead"...
was found.
Parks and gardens
- Giardino Botanico, Istituto Tecnico Agrario Statale "Celso Ulpiani", a botanical gardenBotanical gardenA botanical garden The terms botanic and botanical, and garden or gardens are used more-or-less interchangeably, although the word botanic is generally reserved for the earlier, more traditional gardens. is a well-tended area displaying a wide range of plants labelled with their botanical names...
Economy
Recent industrialization has brought to Ascoli several Italian and multinational companies (YKKYKK Group
The is a Japanese group of manufacturing companies. As the world's largest zipper manufacturer, YKK Group is most famous for making zippers; however, it also manufactures other fastening products, architectural products, as well as industrial machinery....
, Manuli, Pfizer
Pfizer
Pfizer, Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation. The company is based in New York City, New York with its research headquarters in Groton, Connecticut, United States...
, Barilla) but the bulk of the economy is made up of small and medium sized enterprises and by those providing professional services to the area. Agriculture is still important (wheat, olives, fruits).
Transport
Ascoli Piceno railway stationAscoli Piceno railway station
Ascoli Piceno railway station serves the town and comune of Ascoli Piceno, in the region of Marche, central Italy. Opened in 1886, it is the southwestern terminus of the San Benedetto del Tronto–Ascoli Piceno railway, a branch of the Adriatic railway....
, opened in 1886, is the southwestern terminus of the San Benedetto del Tronto–Ascoli Piceno railway, a branch of the Adriatic railway.
Culture and sport
The main festivity is on the first Sunday in August. The historical parade with more than 1500 people dressed in Renaissance costume is held in celebration of Saint Emidio, protector of the city. The parade is followed by a tournament, called QuintanaQuintain
Quintain may refer to:* Quintain , a jousting game* Quintain Estates and Development, a property company* Quintaine Americana, a rock band...
, in which six knights, each competing for one of the six neighborhoods in the city, ride the course one after the other trying to hit an effigy of an Arab warrior. Strength and ability are necessary for the knight to win the palio or grand prize.
The town is also home to Ascoli Calcio
Ascoli Calcio 1898
Ascoli Calcio 1898 is an Italian football club based in Ascoli Piceno, Marche. The club was formed in 1898 and currently plays in Italian Serie B, having returned to it after two seasons spent in Serie A...
, currently in the Serie B
Serie B
Serie B, currently named Serie bwin due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It is contested by 22 teams and organized by the Lega Serie B since July 2010, after the split of Lega Calcio that previously took care of both the...
. The team is also known as "Picchio" (Woodpecker), in honour of the bird shown on the Marche
Marche
The population density in the region is below the national average. In 2008, it was 161.5 inhabitants per km2, compared to the national figure of 198.8. It is highest in the province of Ancona , and lowest in the province of Macerata...
's Flag. Ascoli Piceno was founded by ancient italic people after following a woodpecker that signed them the place.
Frazioni
Bivio Giustimana, Campolungo-villa sant'Antonio, Caprignano, Carpineto, Casa circondariale, Casalena, Casamurana, Case di Cioccio, , Castel di Lama stazione, Castel Trosino, Cervara, Colle, Colle san Marco, Colloto, Colonna, Colonnata, Faiano, Funti, Giustimana, Il Palazzo, Lago, Lisciano, Lisciano di Colloto, Montadamo, Morignano, Mozzano, Oleificio Panichi, Palombare, Pedana, Piagge, Pianaccerro, Poggio di Bretta, Polesio, Ponte Pedana, Porchiano, Rosara, San Pietro, Santa Maria a Corte, Talvacchia, Taverna di mezzo, Trivigliano-villa Pagani, Tronzano, Valle Fiorana, Valle Senzana, Valli, Vena piccola, Venagrande, Villa S. Antonio.Twin towns — Sister cities
Ascoli Piceno is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with: Massy
Massy
Massy is a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located 14.7 kilometres from the center of Paris.-Population:...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, since 1997 Trier
Trier
Trier, historically called in English Treves is a city in Germany on the banks of the Moselle. It is the oldest city in Germany, founded in or before 16 BC....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, since 1958 Chattanooga, USA since 2006