The history of Ascoli Piceno.

​Ascoli was founded by the Piceni, an Italic population, before Roman times. In 268 BC it became a "federated" city, indipendent from Rome, but it was later conquered by Roman troops in 89 BC. During the Middle Ages, Ascoli was ravaged by the Ostrogoths and then by the Lombards. In 1189 was established a free republican municipality but due to internal fights, the municipality opened the way to foreign dictatorships (firstly the Malatesta and then the Sforza dinasty.) Ascoli was compelled to submit to Papal control.  In 1860 it was annexed, together with Marche and Umbria, to the newly unified Kingdom of Italy.

What to see in Ascoli Piceno.

• Piazza del Popolo
• Piazza Arringo
• Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo: It was the seat of the podestà, and it connected three pre-existing buildings. In the 15th century the southern side was enlarged, and, in 1520, a Mannerist façade was added in the rear side.
• Porta Gemina: a 1st century Roman gate,  through which the Via Salaria entered the city. Nearby are located old ruins of the ancient theatre.
• Loggia dei Mercanti: a 16th-century portico annexed to the church of San Francesco. It was commissioned by the city's wool traders guild and finished in 1513.
• ​Forte Malatesta: The fortress was built by the lord of Rimini, Galeotto I Malatesta, on a previous site occupied by roman baths. The construction was used as a jail until 1978.
• Chiesa di San Francesco: it is a church with a gothic style that started its construction in 1258 and finished it with the dome in 1549.

What to eat in Ascoli Piceno.

• Olive all'ascolana (fried olives stuffed with meat)
• Lamb
• Legume soup
• Roasted pork or rabbit
• Ciambellotto
• Cicerchiata.