Ascoli Piceno, Medieval commune in Marche, Italy
Ascoli Piceno is a commune in Marche, Italy, known for using grey travertine stone throughout its old town. The buildings made from this local material give the streets and squares a uniform appearance.
The settlement was founded by the Picenes before it became the Roman city of Asculum Picenum in the 3rd century BC. During the Middle Ages, it experienced a period of growth when noble families built numerous towers inside the city walls.
Piazza del Popolo serves as a central meeting point for residents and hosts markets and events several times a year. The travertine pavement shapes daily life in the city and invites people to sit in the surrounding cafés.
Visitors can explore the old town on foot, as most landmarks are within walking distance of each other. Comfortable shoes are recommended for the paved streets and gentle slopes in the alleys.
More than fifty medieval towers still stand within the city walls and mark former noble residences. These towers give the city skyline a distinctive character when seen from a distance.
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