Caffè Meletti, Art Nouveau palace and café in Piazza del Popolo, Ascoli Piceno, Italy
Caffè Meletti is an Art Nouveau palace on Piazza del Popolo featuring marble columns, soaring ceilings, and large mirrors distributed throughout multiple dining rooms adorned with ornate wooden furnishings. The interior spaces are designed with generous proportions that create an open, refined feeling throughout.
The establishment opened on May 18, 1907, and quickly became a gathering place for social events and intellectual discussions in the early twentieth century. Its role in the city's public life remained significant through the decades that followed.
The café remains deeply connected to Ascoli Piceno's identity, showing how such establishments served as social anchors in the Marche region. Visitors experience this tradition today as they move through spaces where generations of locals have gathered and shared moments.
The location on Piazza del Popolo puts it in the heart of the city center, with both indoor and outdoor terrace seating available. Visitors should plan for possible waiting times, especially during peak hours when the café draws crowds.
The café produces its own aniseed liqueur on-site, a practice that dates back to its founding and sets it apart from other establishments in the region. This house-made spirit appears in both drinks and dishes offered to visitors.
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